INS 282 is calcium propionate, a preservative that stops bread, buns, and cakes from going mouldy or developing rope (a sticky bacterial spoilage). On Indian bread packs it is usually the main preservative in the ingredient list. It is generally vegan and is permitted by FSSAI for specified food categories.
Quick Facts
INS Number
282
E-Number
E282
Category
Preservative
Veg Status
Vegan
FSSAI Status
Permitted by FSSAI
JECFA ADI
Not specified (1997)
Chemical Name
calcium propanoate (calcium salt of propionic acid)
What is INS 282?
INS 282 is calcium propionate, a preservative that stops bread, buns, and cakes from going mouldy or developing rope (a sticky bacterial spoilage). On Indian bread packs it is usually the main preservative in the ingredient list.
Why brands add it
Brands use it because it stops bread mould without slowing the yeast that makes the dough rise. A small amount stretches shelf life from about 3 days to 7-10 days at room temperature, which is why packaged bread does not need to live in the fridge.
Where you'll find it
INS 282 commonly shows up on Indian packets in these categories:
packaged bread and buns
pita and pav
cakes and muffins
tortillas and wraps
processed cheese spreads
Veg or non-veg? - Vegan
Calcium propionate is made by combining propionic acid with calcium. Both ingredients are produced from chemical synthesis or by fermenting plant sugars. No animal product is used in its manufacture.
FSSAI status and JECFA evaluation
FSSAI: Permitted by FSSAI as a preservative under Schedule I of the FSS (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations 2011 for specified food categories including bread, bakery products, and processed cheese, with category-specific upper limits.
JECFA: Group ADI 'not limited' for propionic acid and its calcium, potassium, and sodium salts, originally established at the 17th JECFA (1973) and reaffirmed at the 49th JECFA (1997). 'Not limited' is the safest JECFA classification, meaning normal dietary intake is not considered a hazard. Propionic acid is also produced naturally by the bacteria in your gut, so your body already has the machinery to break it down. A small 2002 double-blind controlled trial (Dengate and Ruben, Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, n=27 children) reported behavioural changes in some children fed calcium-propionate bread daily; this single small study has not been widely replicated and the JECFA position is unchanged.
Also known as
On packets, in recipes, and in conversation, INS 282 is also called:
JECFA gave propionic acid and its calcium, potassium, and sodium salts a group ADI of 'not limited' at the 17th meeting (1973) and reaffirmed it at the 49th meeting (1997), based on long-term studies showing no adverse effects at typical dietary levels. Propionic acid is also produced naturally by the bacteria in your gut, so your body already has the machinery to break it down. A small controlled trial by Dengate and Ruben in 2002 reported behavioural changes in some children given calcium-propionate bread, but it was small (n=27) and has not changed JECFA's safety position.
Is INS 282 vegetarian?+
Vegan. Calcium propionate is made by combining propionic acid with calcium. Both ingredients are produced from chemical synthesis or by fermenting plant sugars. No animal product is used in its manufacture.
Is INS 282 permitted by FSSAI?+
Permitted by FSSAI as a preservative under Schedule I of the FSS (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations 2011 for specified food categories including bread, bakery products, and processed cheese, with category-specific upper limits.
What is INS 282 used for?+
Brands use it because it stops bread mould without slowing the yeast that makes the dough rise. A small amount stretches shelf life from about 3 days to 7-10 days at room temperature, which is why packaged bread does not need to live in the fridge.
Is INS 282 (also written as E282) the same thing?+
Yes. INS 282 (the Codex International Numbering System used by FSSAI) and E282 (the European E-number system) refer to the same compound. The digits are identical for almost all common additives. Indian packets may show either form, or the common name (calcium propionate).
This page summarises FSSAI's permission status and JECFA's scientific evaluation. It is not medical or dietary advice. Manufacturer ingredient sourcing can vary, especially for source-dependent additives - the Indian veg/non-veg dot logo on the pack is the brand's declaration. For health decisions, consult a doctor or registered dietitian.