In conclusion, E282, or calcium propionate, is a valuable food additive that plays a significant role in enhancing the safety and longevity of various food products. Its effectiveness as a preservative, combined with a favorable safety profile, underscores its importance in the food industry. While there may be concerns regarding food additives, E282 continues to provide benefits that are hard to overlook. As the food landscape evolves, ongoing research and consumer awareness will shape the future of food additives, including E282, ensuring that the needs of both producers and consumers are met.

Despite its high potency as a preservative, it is not entirely stable. Models in aqueous matrices show that more than half of it is lost in a few months of storage at slightly elevated temperature, through both degradation and polymerization. Some derivatives can lead to accelerated food browning or even generation of stable toxic compounds. Potential reactions and shelf-life testing are a critical consideration for products containing potassium sorbate.