YenzoWhat is E1201 (polyvinylpyrrolidone)?
E1201 is polyvinylpyrrolidone. In Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT the functions listed for it are stabilizer, emulsifier, glazing agent, thickener.
E1201Polyvinylpyrrolidone
E1201 is polyvinylpyrrolidone (INS 1201). In Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT it is listed in Appendix 1 with the functions: stabilizer, emulsifier, glazing agent, thickener. Polyvinylpyrrolidone is also used as an excipient in pharmaceutical products; this page is about its role as a food stabilizer, emulsifier, glazing agent and thickener (E1201). (source: Pharmaceutical assessment of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP): As excipient from conventional to controlled delivery systems with a spotlight on COVID-19 inhibition (J Drug Deliv Sci Technol 2020))
- Code
- E1201 · INS 1201
- Group
- Stabilizer, Emulsifier, Glazing agent, Thickener
In Vietnam✓ PermittedOn the list of permitted additives — Circular 24/2019, Appendix 1
Risk level on the Yenzo Scalelow?Based on the Open Food Facts additives taxonomy
How E1201 appears on labels
IngredientsIllustrative example
Wheat flour, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, stabilizer (1201), dried onion and garlic, pepper, natural colour (160a).
stabilizer (1201)stabilizer 1201E1201INS 1201On Vietnamese labels: Polyvinyl pyrrolidon
Polyvinylpyrrolidone in food
Chewing gum
Sweeteners
Flavoured drink concentratesBeer and malt beverages
Cider and perry
Vinegar
Vitamin and mineral supplements
Questions about polyvinylpyrrolidone
Is polyvinylpyrrolidone harmful?
In 2020 EFSA concluded that there is no need for numerical ADIs for polyvinylpyrrolidone (E 1201) and polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (E 1202), and that there is no safety concern for the reported uses and use levels. Use levels were reported only for food supplements.
Is E1201 permitted in Vietnam?
Yes. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (INS 1201) is listed in Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, the list of additives permitted in food.
Other stabilizers
E1101Protease, invertase and papainvery lowE1103Invertasevery lowE1200Polydextrosevery lowE1202PolyvinylpolypyrrolidonelowE1209Polyvinyl alcohol-polyethylene glycol graft copolymerlowE1400Dextrinvery low
See all stabilizers →Updated 22 October 2026
Sources (3)
- Open Food Facts additives taxonomy (Yenzo's table cites no EFSA opinion for this code). Open Food Facts additives taxonomy, https://github.com/openfoodfacts/openfoodfacts-server/blob/main/taxonomies/additives.txt (entry en:e1201)
- Thông tư 24/2019/TT-BYT (văn bản hợp nhất 09/VBHN-BYT), Phụ lục 2A: nhóm thực phẩm được phép dùng INS 1201
- EFSA Journal (2020). Re-evaluation of polyvinylpyrrolidone (E 1201) and polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (E 1202) as food additives and extension of use of polyvinylpyrrolidone (E 1201)