Naturally occurring propionic acid in foods marketed in South Korea

Propionic acid levels in fermented products, non-fermented products and foodstuffs, and medicinal herbs were analyzed total 263 samples retailed in Korean market. Propionic acid was detected in some Korean traditional fermented products such as salted and fermented fish sauce, Chunggukjang and salted and fermented fish. A small amount of propionic acid was also detected in fermented soybean paste, soy sauce, seasoned soybean paste, vinegar and fermented milk. Significantly, propionic acid in vinegar showed high levels among fermented products (P