Sodium orthophenylphenate is the sodium salt of orthophenylphenol, used as a fungicide and preservative, known in Europe as E232. Its main food-related role is post-harvest treatment of citrus fruits, where it prevents mould growth during storage and transport, applied as a wash or incorporated into wax coatings. It also disinfects food-contact surfaces and packaging materials. Residues on treated fruit are regulated with maximum limits, and the peel of treated citrus should not be used untreated in cooking. Like many post-harvest chemicals it is invisible to the consumer but essential to the global citrus trade, which would lose vast quantities to rot without it. Washing fruit before eating remains sensible advice.