Origin
E 1201 is a so-called polymer. It was discovered and patented by the company BASF as early as 1939. E 1201 is produced from the starting material vinylpyrrolidone in a chemical process. The end product, polyvinylpyrrolidone, appears as white to yellow powder that dissolves well in water.
Usage
E 1201 is only approved for use in food supplements and can be used without any maximum quantity restrictions in this area. E 1201 has the property of being able to bind substances like vitamins or flavors, making it ideal for use in tablet-form nutritional supplements. Furthermore, E 1201 is also used as a technical aid in wine and beer production to prevent unwanted turbidity from forming in the products.
Risks
E 1201 is considered an unsafe food additive for the human organism, hence no recommended daily intake (ADI value) has been stated so far. The stabilizer E 1201 is indigestible and does not enter into the energy metabolism of humans.