Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone
25249-54-1 · Crospovidone · Cross-linked polyvidone · E 1202 · Insoluble polyvinylpyr rolidone · Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone · E1202 · Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone · Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone · Polivinilpolipirolidon · Polivinilpolipirolidonas · Polivinilpolipirolidons · Polivinilpolipirolidonă · Polivinilpolipirrolidon · Polivinilpolipirrolidona · Polivinilpolipirrolidone · Poliwinylopolipirolidon · Polyvinylpolypyrolidon · Polyvinylpolypyrrolidon · Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone · Polyvinyylipolypyrrolidoni · Polüvinüülpolüpürrolidoon · Πολυβινυλοπολυπυρρολιδόνη · ПоливинилполипиролидонE number E1202CAS 25249-54-1
Listed as a stabiliser, a glazing agent and a colour retention agent by Codex and the US.
Listed as stabilisers (Codex) · glazing and surface-finishing agents (US) · colour retention agents (Codex) · processing aids (US)
- Codex Alimentarius: Stabilizer — CXS 192-1995 Table Three, INS 1202
- United States: Surface-finishing agent — FDA, Substances Added to Food: POLYVINYL POLYPYRROLIDONE
- Codex Alimentarius: Colour retention agent — CXS 192-1995 Table Three, INS 1202
- United States: Processing aid — FDA, Substances Added to Food: POLYVINYL POLYPYRROLIDONE
Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone, or PVPP, is not eaten: it is a processing aid used to clarify beer, wine and juice by binding the compounds that cause haze, and is then filtered out.
Where it is and isn’t permitted
| Jurisdiction | Status | Scope and limits | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia and New Zealand | No listed food uses foundThis site has not matched this substance to any food use on this jurisdiction’s list of authorised food additives. A food additive may be used only in foods that list names. Flavourings, enzymes, processing aids and added nutrients are regulated separately and do not appear on it. | ||
| Canada | No listing matchedHealth Canada’s lists name additives without E or INS numbers, so this site matches them by exact name. A substance listed there under a name this site does not recognise has no row here. | ||
| European Union | Permitted, with conditions | 2 food categories Show every food category
| Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex IIand 1 further provisionretrieved 2026-10-18 |
| Great Britain | Permitted, with conditions | 2 food categories Show every food category
| Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008and 1 further provisionretrieved 2026-10-18 |
| Japan | Permitted, with conditions | Designated additive: Appended Table 1, item 402, ポリビニルポリピロリドン (“Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone” in the unofficial English translation). …Designated additive: Appended Table 1, item 402, ポリビニルポリピロリドン (“Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone” in the unofficial English translation). Standards for use — Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, etc. (MHW Notification No. 370 of 1959), Part II (Food Additives), F (Standards for use), entry ポリビニルポリピロリドン: (1) [may be used only for the uses stated; must be removed or broken down before the food is finished] “ポリビニルポリピロリドンは、ろ過助剤以外の用途に使用してはならない。また、使用したポリビニルポリピロリドンは、最終食品の完成前に除去しなければならない。” The Japanese is the standard as published. There is no official English translation of the Notification; the English in square brackets is this site’s description of what each sentence does, not a translation of the foods or the levels. Compositional specifications for this additive, in the same Notification, are not imported and are not shown here; nor are the general rules in F 添加物一般, which apply to every additive. | Regulations for Enforcement of the Food Sanitation Act (MHW Ordinance No. 23 of 1948), Appended Table 1retrieved 2026-10-18 |
| South Korea | Permitted, with conditions | Designated food additive: Standards and Specifications for Food Additives, Part III, 2. …Designated food additive: Standards and Specifications for Food Additives, Part III, 2. 가공보조제 (processing aids), 폴리비닐폴리피로리돈 (“Polyvinyl Polypyrrolidone”, the English the Code prints beside it); 1. 일반식품첨가물 (general food additives), 폴리비닐피로리돈 (“Polyvinyl Polypyrrolidone”, the English the Code prints beside it). Main use (주용도) of 폴리비닐폴리피로리돈: 여과보조제. Standard for use (사용기준) of 폴리비닐폴리피로리돈: (1) [must be removed before the final food is complete] “폴리비닐폴리피로리돈은 최종식품 완성 전에 제거하여야 한다.” Main use (주용도) of 폴리비닐피로리돈: 피막제, 안정제. Standard for use (사용기준) of 폴리비닐피로리돈: (1) [may be used only in the foods listed; sets a limit on the amount used] “폴리비닐피로리돈은 아래의 식품에 한하여 사용하여야 한다. 폴리비닐피로리돈의 사용량은 1. 맥주 : 0.01g/kg 이하 2. 식초 : 0.04g/kg 이하 3. 과실주, 리큐르 : 0.06g/kg 이하 4. 건강기능식품(정제 또는 이의 제피, 캡슐에 한함) 및 캡슐류의 피막제 목적” The Korean is the standard as published. There is no official English translation of the current Code (the English version on MFDS’s website is the 2020 edition and has no legal effect); the English in square brackets is this site’s description of what each sentence does, not a translation of the foods or the levels. Compositional specifications (Part IV) are not imported, nor are the general standards in Part II, which apply to every additive. | Standards and Specifications for Food Additives (식품첨가물의 기준 및 규격), MFDS Notification, Part III (Standards for use, by item)retrieved 2026-10-18 |
| United States | Permitted, with conditions | 21 CFR 173.50retrieved 2026-10-17 | |
| Codex Alimentarius | Permitted | no numerical limit (good manufacturing practice) | CXS 192-1995 Table Three, INS 1202retrieved 2026-09-07 |
How much is permitted
A listing usually limits the quantity as well as the food. Only one of the forms that takes is a figure: quantum satis and good manufacturing practice permit the amount the technological effect requires and no more, which is a limit rather than the absence of one. Figures below are the range across every food category this page is listed in, and categories differ between regulators — see how much is permitted.
| European Union | — | 2 quantum satis |
|---|---|---|
| Great Britain | — | 2 quantum satis |
| Japan | — | 1 no quantity stated |
| South Korea | — | 1 no quantity stated |
| United States | — | 1 no quantity stated |
| Codex Alimentarius | — | 1 GMP |
No regulator sets a figure for Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone. That is not an absence of control: where the listing says quantum satis or good manufacturing practice, the quantity is limited to what the effect requires.
What it is made from
A cross-linked synthetic polymer made from vinylpyrrolidone. Because it is insoluble it can be removed completely after doing its work, which is the basis of its use.
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
Compare other additives on the dietary indexes.
- CAS registry number
- 25249-54-1
The two specifications, compared
The European Union sets identity and purity by regulation; JECFA publishes its own through FAO, advisory until a country adopts it. Both documents are below in full. These are the parameters each puts a number on.
| Parameter | European Union | JECFA |
|---|---|---|
| Assay | no less than 11 % | no less than 11 % |
| Sulphated ash | no more than 0.4 % | no more than 0.4 % |
| Lead | no more than 2 mg/kg | no more than 2 mg/kg |
The two documents state the same figures for every parameter compared here.
How the EU defines it
The legal specification an additive must meet to be sold as this E number in the EU — what it is, how it may be made, and the purity it must reach. From Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012.
E 1202 Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone
Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone is a poly-[1-(2-oxo-1-pyrrolidinyl)-ethylene], cross linked in a random fashion. It is produced by the polymerisation of N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone in the presence of either caustic catalyst or N, N'-divinyl-imidazolidone. Due to its insolubility in all common solvents the molecular weight range is not amenable to analytical determination
Synonyms: Crospovidone; Cross-linked polyvidone; Insoluble polyvinylpyrrolidone
Assay, identification and purity criteria
Description and assay
- Chemical name
- Polyvinylpyrrolidone; poly-[1-(2-oxo-1-pyrrolidinyl)-ethylene]
- Chemical formula
- (C₆H₉NO)ₙ
- Assay
- Content not less than 11 % and not more than 12,8 % nitrogen (N) on the anhydrous basis
- Description
- A white hygroscopic powder with a faint, non-objectionable odour
Identification
- Solubility
- Insoluble in water, ethanol and ether
- pH
- Between 5,0 and 8,0 (1 % suspension in water)
Purity criteria
- Water content
- Not more than 6 % (Karl Fischer)
- Sulphated ash
- Not more than 0,4 %
- Water-soluble matter
- Not more than 1 %
- Free-N-vinylpyrrolidone
- Not more than 10 mg/kg
- Free-N,N'-divinyl-imidazolidone
- Not more than 2 mg/kg
- Lead
- Not more than 2 mg/kg
How JECFA defines it
The international specification for identity and purity, prepared by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives and published by FAO. It is a different document from any above, written by a different body and revised on its own cycle; it is advisory, and a country adopts it or does not.
INS 1202 Insoluble Polyvinylpyrrolidone
A poly-[1-(2-oxo-1-pyrrolidinyl) ethylene], cross-linked in a random fashion produced by the polymerization of N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone in the presence of either caustic catalyst or N,N'-divinyl-imidazolidone; due to its insolubility in all common solvents the molecular weight range is not amenable to analytical determination.
Synonyms: Crospovidone, cross linked polyvidone, insoluble PVP, polyvinylpolypyrrolidone, cross linked homopolymer of 1-ethenyl-2-pyrrolidone, insoluble cross linked homopolymer of N-vinyl-1-pyrrolidone, INS No. 1202 Crospovidone; Cross linked homopolymer of 1-ethenyl-2-pyrrolidone; Cross linked polyvidone; Insoluble cross linked homopolymer of N-vinyl-1-pyrrolidone; insoluble PVP; Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone
Assay, identification and purity criteria
Description and assay
- Specification history
- Prepared at the 33rd JECFA (1988), published in FNP 38 (1988) and in FNP 52 (1992). Metals and arsenic specifications revised at the 63rd JECFA (2004). An ADI 'not specified' was established at the 27th JECFA (1983)
- Assay
- Not less than 11.0% and not more than 12.8% nitrogen calculated on the anhydrous basis
- DESCRIPTION
- White hygroscopic powder with a faint, non-objectionable odour
- FUNCTIONAL USES
- Colour stabilizer, colloidal stabilizer, clarifying agent
- METHOD OF ASSAY
- Determine the nitrogen content according to Kjeldahl with a modified digestion. Place about 0.1 g, accurately weighed, in the digestion flask of the apparatus. Add 1 g of a powdered mixture of 10 parts of potassium sulfate and 1 part of cupric sulfate, and wash down any adhering material from the neck of the flask with a fine jet of water. Add 7 ml of sulfuric acid, rinsed down the wall of the flask, then, while swirling the flask, add 1 ml of 30% hydrogen peroxide cautiously down the side of the flask (Do not add hydrogen peroxide during the digestion). Repeat the addition of 1 ml of 30% hydrogen peroxide (usually 3 to 6 times) until a clear, light green solution is obtained on heating the mixture. Heat for an additional 4 h. Cautiously add to the digestion mixture 20 ml of water and proceed to the steam distillation as directed under Nitrogen Determination (Kjeldahl Method) (see Volume 4)
Identification
- Solubility (Vol. 4)
- Insoluble in water, ethanol and ether
- Absorption of iodine
- Add 0.1 ml of 0.1 N iodine to a suspension of 1 g of the sample in 10 ml of water and shake for 30 sec. There should be no blue colouration on shaking up with 1 ml of starch TS.
Purity criteria
- Water (Vol. 4)
- Not more than 6% (Karl Fischer Method)
- pH (Vol. 4)
- 5 - 8 (1% w/v aqueous suspension)
- Sulfated ash (Vol. 4)
- Not more than 0.4% Test 2 g of the sample (Method I)
- Water-soluble matter
- Not more than 1.5% Transfer about 25 g, accurately weighed, to a 500-ml flat bottom flask, add 225 ml of water and a 5 cm magnetic stirring bar, and place on a combination heater-stirrer. Attach a water-cooled condenser, and reflux gently, with stirring, for 20 h. Allow the slurry to cool, transfer to a 250-ml volumetric flask, with the aid of 25 ml of water, add water to volume, and mix. Allow the bulk of the solids to settle for about 15 min, decant the liquid into centrifuge tubes, and centrifuge until clear. Typically, at least 1 h at 12,000 rpm is required. Transfer 50.0 ml of the clear supernatant liquid to a tared 250 ml beaker, evaporate, and dry to constant weight in a forced air oven at about 90 o . Calculate the percentage of water soluble substances by the formula 500 W / G, where W is the weight, in g, of the residue and G is the weight, in g, of the test sample taken.
- Free N-vinyl-pyrrolidone
- Not more than 0.1% Suspend 4.0 g of the sample with 30 ml of water, stir 15 min., pass through a sintered glass filter of 9-15 μm (= type G 4) in a 250-ml conical flask. Wash the residue with 100 ml of water, add 500 mg of sodium acetate to the combined filtrates, and titrate with 0.1 N iodine until the colour of iodine no longer fades. Add an additional 3.0 ml of 0.1 N iodine, allow to stand for 10 min, and titrate the excess iodine with 0.1 N sodium thiosulfate, adding 3 ml of starch TS as the end-point is approached. Perform a blank determination. Not more than 0.72 ml of iodine is consumed, corresponding to not more than 0.1% vinylpyrrolidone.
- Free N,N'-divinyl imidazolidone
- Not more than 2 mg/kg See description under TESTS
- Zinc (Vol. 4)
- Not more than 25 mg/kg Test 2 g of the sample, accurately weighed
- Lead (Vol. 4)
- Not more than 2 mg/kg Determine using an atomic absorption technique appropriate to the specified level. The selection of sample size and method of sample preparation may be based on the principles of the method described in Volume 4, “Instrumental Methods.”
- Test: Free N,N'-divinyl- imidazolidone
- Principle Free N,N'-divinylimidazolidone migrating from insoluble PVP into a solvent (acetone) is determined by capillary column gas chromatography. Internal standard solution Dissolve 100 mg of heptanoic acid nitrile (oenanthic acid nitrile) weighed out to within an accuracy of 0.1 mg in 500 ml of acetone. Preparation of the sample Weigh out about 2-2.5 g of the polymer to within an accuracy of 0.2 mg into a 50 ml Erlenmeyer flask. By means of a pipette, add 5 ml of internal standard solution. Subsequently, run in about 20 ml of acetone. Shake the mixture for 4 h or let it equilibrate for at least 15 h and analyze the supernatant solution by gas chromatography. Calibration solution Weigh out about 25 mg of N,N'-Divinylimidazolidone with an accuracy of 0.2 mg into a flask and make up to 100 ml with acetone. By means of a pipette, transfer 2.0 ml of this solution into another 50 ml calibration flask, make up to 50 ml with acetone. Transfer 2 ml of this solution to another flask, add 5 ml of the internal standard solution (see above) and make up to 25 ml with acetone. Gas chromatography condition Column: Capillary (fused silica) "DB-Wax" (cross-linked Carbowax 20 ml), length 30 m, i. d. 0.25 mm, film thickness 0.5 μm. Column oven temperature: Programmed, 140 o - 240 o , 4 o /min Injector: Split injector, 220 o ; split effluent 30 ml Detector: Thermionic detector (optimized according to manufacturers instructions), 250 o . Carrier gas: Helium, 1 bar (overpressure) Amount injected: 1 μl of supernatant solution of sample or calibration solution. Procedure Obtain a reliable determination of the calibration factor for the specific conditions of analysis by means of repetitive injections of the calibration solution. Analyze the sample. The content of N,N'-divinylimidazolidone in insoluble PVP shall be not more than 2 mg/kg. Calculation of the calibration factor, f where W D = amount of N,N'-divinylimidazolidone taken (mg) W St = amount of internal standard (mg) A St = aArea of peak of internal standard A D = area of peak for N,N'-divinylimidazolidone Calculation of the content of N,N'-divinylimidazolidone, C D where f = calibration factor A D = area of peak for N,N'-divinylimidazolidone W St = amount of internal standard added to the sample (mg) A St = area of peak of internal standard W S = amount of sample taken (g)
Authorised in other additives, enzymes, flavourings and nutrients
These authorisations are not for use in food. They let this substance be used inside another additive, a food enzyme, a flavouring or a nutrient preparation — often as a carrier — and it reaches food only as part of that product. Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008.
| Part | May be used in | Maximum level | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annex III, Part 1: Carriers in food additives | Colour tablets for the decorative colouring of poultry eggshells | quantum satis | Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex III, Part 1 |
| Annex III, Part 1: Carriers in food additives | Sweeteners | quantum satis | Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex III, Part 1 |
Every name it appears under
24 recorded names. A label may use any of them.
E number
- E1202
CAS registry number
- 25249-54-1
As it appears in regulation
- Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone
Other names
- Crospovidone
- Cross-linked polyvidone
- E 1202
- Insoluble polyvinylpyr rolidone
- Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone
Systematic names
- Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone
Hazard reference values
| Type | Value | Population | Assessed by | Opinion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADI | not specified | — | JECFA | 1983 |
Evidence and how bodies read it
What assessing bodies concluded
Each conclusion is paraphrased in the body's own framing, from the published opinion linked beneath it. Where bodies differ, both stand; this site does not adjudicate between them or add a view of its own.
EFSA 2020
The FAF Panel found very low absorption and no genotoxicity concern for polyvinylpyrrolidone (E 1201) and polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (E 1202), and concluded that no numerical ADIs are needed and there is no safety concern at reported uses and use levels. It also found a proposed extension of PVP use to foods for special medical purposes not expected to be of safety concern.
Common questions
Assembled from what is above, in the words the questions are usually asked in. Each answer is the same statement the relevant section makes, with the same citations behind it.
- What is E 1202?
- E 1202 is Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone. Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone, or PVPP, is not eaten: it is a processing aid used to clarify beer, wine and juice by binding the compounds that cause haze, and is then filtered out.
- What is Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone used for in food?
- It is listed as a stabiliser, a glazing agent and a colour retention agent — the role Codex and the US assign it. This page shows every function each regulator records, with the citation for each.
- Where is Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone permitted?
- Of the seven regulators this site reads, the EU, Great Britain, Japan, South Korea, the US and the Codex standard permit it. Each permission is for named foods at named levels, not a blanket one; the table on this page gives them with citations.
- Is Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone vegan?
- Yes. Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone is not derived from animals, and is suitable for vegetarians. This page says what it is made from and how.
Sources for this page
- eu retrieved 2026-10-18
- gb retrieved 2026-10-18
- jp retrieved 2026-10-18
- kr retrieved 2026-10-18
- ecfr retrieved 2026-10-17
- gsfa retrieved 2026-09-07
- euspecs retrieved 2026-10-18
- jecfaspecs retrieved 2026-09-23
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