Molecular structures representing food additives and their safety evaluation.

Is Your Food Packaging Safe? Unpacking the Truth About Polyvinyl Alcohol-Polyethylene Glycol-Graft-Co-Polymer (E 1209)

Lena Kashyap in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 4 min read.

"A Deep Dive into the Safety of Food Additive E 1209 and What It Means for Your Health"

In a world where food labels are scrutinized more than ever, understanding the ingredients in our daily supplements and foods is paramount. One such ingredient that has come under the microscope is polyvinyl alcohol-polyethylene glycol-graft-co-polymer, more commonly known as E 1209. This food additive, primarily used in solid-form food supplements, has undergone rigorous evaluation to ensure it meets safety standards.

The European Commission tasked the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to provide a scientific opinion on the safety of modifying the EU specifications for E 1209, particularly focusing on the acceptable levels of ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol, two impurities present in the additive. This evaluation aimed to determine whether increasing the limit of these impurities would pose a risk to public health.

This article delves into the findings of EFSA’s assessment, exploring the context, implications, and what it ultimately means for consumers. Understanding these details can empower individuals to make informed choices about the products they consume and how these additives impact their overall health.

E 1209: What Is It and Why Is It Used?

Molecular structures representing food additives and their safety evaluation.

Polyvinyl alcohol-polyethylene glycol-graft-co-polymer (E 1209) is a synthetic co-polymer composed of approximately 75% polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) units and 25% polyethylene glycol (PEG) units. It is authorized for use as a food additive within the European Union, specifically in food supplements supplied in solid form. These include capsules and tablets, excluding chewable forms.

E 1209 functions primarily as a film coating. It helps to ensure that supplements are easy to swallow and that the active ingredients are released correctly within the body. Like many food additives, the production of E 1209 can result in trace amounts of impurities. The primary concerns are ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol, which are byproducts of the manufacturing process.

Specifications: E 1209 must meet specific purity criteria, including limits on residual vinyl acetate, acetic acid, and total acetate.
Solubility: Freely soluble in water and dilute acids but practically insoluble in ethanol, acetic acid, and acetone.
Appearance: White to faintly yellow powder.

Given the potential presence of these impurities, EFSA’s evaluation focused on determining a safe level for human consumption. The key question was whether increasing the allowable limits of ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol in E 1209 would pose a safety concern for consumers.

Reassuring Results: EFSA's Safety Conclusion

EFSA's comprehensive evaluation provides reassurance regarding the safety of E 1209 under the proposed amended specifications. By adhering to these guidelines and staying informed, consumers can confidently navigate the world of food additives, ensuring their choices align with their health and well-being. Always check product labels, stay updated on the latest scientific findings, and consult healthcare professionals when in doubt, fostering a proactive approach to personal health and safety.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.2903/j.efsa.2017.4865, Alternate LINK

Title: Safety Of The Proposed Amendment Of The Specifications For The Food Additive Polyvinyl Alcohol‐Polyethylene Glycol‐Graft‐Co‐Polymer (E 1209)

Subject: Plant Science

Journal: EFSA Journal

Publisher: Wiley

Authors: Alicja Mortensen, Fernando Aguilar, Riccardo Crebelli, Alessandro Di Domenico, Birgit Dusemund, Maria Jose Frutos, Pierre Galtier, Ursula Gundert‐Remy, Claude Lambré, Jean‐Charles Leblanc, Oliver Lindtner, Peter Moldeus, Pasquale Mosesso, Dominique Parent‐Massin, Agneta Oskarsson, Ivan Stankovic, Ine Waalkens‐Berendsen, Rudolf Antonius Woutersen, Matthew Wright, Maged Younes, Ana Maria Rincon, Alexandra Tard, David Gott

Published: 2017-06-01

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly is polyvinyl alcohol-polyethylene glycol-graft-co-polymer (E 1209) and why is it added to our supplements?

Polyvinyl alcohol-polyethylene glycol-graft-co-polymer, or E 1209, is a synthetic co-polymer used as a food additive within the European Union. It is composed of approximately 75% polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) units and 25% polyethylene glycol (PEG) units. It is primarily used in solid-form food supplements, such as capsules and tablets (excluding chewable forms), functioning as a film coating to make supplements easier to swallow and to ensure the active ingredients are released correctly within the body.

Why was the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) evaluating E 1209?

EFSA was tasked by the European Commission to provide a scientific opinion on the safety of modifying the EU specifications for E 1209, with a specific focus on acceptable levels of ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol, which are impurities present in the additive. This evaluation was to determine whether increasing the limit of these impurities would pose a risk to public health. The EFSA’s work ensures that the use of E 1209 remains safe for consumers by setting strict limits on potentially harmful substances.

What was the outcome of EFSA's safety evaluation of E 1209, and what does that mean for consumers?

EFSA's evaluation concluded that E 1209 is safe under the proposed amended specifications. This reassurance comes from a comprehensive assessment of the additive, particularly concerning the levels of impurities like ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol. However, it is essential for consumers to check product labels, stay updated on scientific findings, and consult healthcare professionals when in doubt, reinforcing a proactive approach to health and safety.

Beyond ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol, what other specifications must E 1209 meet to be considered safe for consumption?

While the assessment primarily focused on ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol, E 1209 must also meet specific purity criteria. These include limits on residual vinyl acetate, acetic acid, and total acetate. These specifications ensure that the overall quality and safety of E 1209 are maintained. While the safety of E1209 is reassuring, regulations and oversight of food additives continue to evolve based on new scientific findings.

What are the key physical properties of E 1209, such as its solubility and appearance, and how do these characteristics influence its use in food supplements?

E 1209 is soluble in water and dilute acids but practically insoluble in ethanol, acetic acid, and acetone. It appears as a white to faintly yellow powder. These characteristics influence how E 1209 behaves in different environments and how it interacts with other ingredients in food supplements. Its solubility in water, for example, is crucial for its function as a film coating that dissolves to release the active ingredients of a supplement.