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Ascorbic Acid(E300)

Level 2 — Generally safeIn Winter's Dictionary2 sources

Ascorbic Acid is a antioxidant — Preservative and antioxidant; vitamin

Also: Vitamin C

What it does

Preservative and antioxidant; vitamin

Where you'll see it

Frozen fruit (sliced peaches), frozen fish dip, dry milk, beer, ale, flavoring concentrates, apple juices, soft drinks, milk, candy, cured meats, brine for beef/pork curing

What the research says

Deteriorates rapidly when exposed to air in solution. [ultra-processed-people] Antioxidant in commercial bread/sausage formulations. Not flagged as directly toxic, but appears in the cocktail of additives van Tulleken catalogues; manufacturers add it because RBD oils and other industrial fats need oxidation protection.

Benefits

Necessary for normal teeth, bones, and blood vessels

Regulatory status

  • EU: approved

Sources

  • Ultra-Processed People (van Tulleken) — Chapter 11: UPF is pre-chewed: flour treatment agent: ascorbic acid
  • A Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives (Winter): Vitamin C is necessary for normal teeth, bones, and blood vessels