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Additives in Baby Food

What parents need to know about baby food ingredients.

Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)
E300

Natural antioxidant

Sodium Ascorbate
E301

Vitamin C salt

Calcium Ascorbate
E302

Vitamin C salt

Potassium Ascorbate
E303

Vitamin C salt. Not currently on EU approved list as food additive

Ascorbyl Palmitate
E304

Fat-soluble vitamin C

Ascorbyl Stearate
E305

Fat-soluble vitamin C ester. Delisted in EU

Tocopherols (Vitamin E)
E306

Natural antioxidant

Alpha-tocopherol
E307

Vitamin E

Gamma-tocopherol
E308

Vitamin E

Delta-tocopherol
E309

Vitamin E

Propyl Gallate
E310

Synthetic antioxidant for fats

Octyl Gallate
E311

Synthetic antioxidant. Removed from EU approved list in 2018

Dodecyl Gallate
E312

Synthetic antioxidant. Removed from EU approved list in 2018

Ethyl Gallate
E313

Synthetic antioxidant. Not in EU list

Guaiac Resin
E314

Natural antioxidant. Not in EU approved list

Erythorbic Acid
E315

Antioxidant for cured meats

Sodium Erythorbate
E316

Antioxidant for cured meats

Erythorbic Acid (Isoascorbic Acid)
E317

Duplicate entry for E315. Sometimes listed separately

Sodium Isoascorbate
E318

Sodium salt of isoascorbic acid

tert-Butylhydroquinone (TBHQ)
E319

Synthetic antioxidant for oils/fats. Some health concerns debated

Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA)
E320

Synthetic antioxidant. Classified as possible carcinogen by IARC. EU restricts use; more freely used in US

Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT)
E321

Synthetic antioxidant. Health debate ongoing. EU restricts; US broader use

Anoxomer
E323

Polymeric antioxidant. Not approved in EU

Ethoxyquin
E324

Antioxidant banned as food additive. Was used in animal feed, suspended by EU in 2017

Sodium Lactate
E325

Acidity regulator

Potassium Lactate
E326

Acidity regulator and antimicrobial

Calcium Lactate
E327

Firming agent. Used in molecular gastronomy spherification

Ammonium Lactate
E328

Acidity regulator and dough conditioner

Magnesium Lactate
E329

Acidity regulator. Also a magnesium supplement

Magnesium DL-Lactate
E329a

Racemic form of magnesium lactate

Citric Acid
E330

Very common natural acid

Sodium Citrate
E331

Acidity regulator, emulsifier

Potassium Citrate
E332

Acidity regulator

Calcium Citrate
E333

Acidity regulator

Tartaric Acid
E334

Natural acid in grapes

Sodium Tartrate
E335

Emulsifier

Potassium Tartrate (Cream of Tartar)
E336

Baking ingredient

Sodium Potassium Tartrate
E337

Emulsifier

Phosphoric Acid
E338

Acidity in cola drinks

Sodium Phosphates
E339

Emulsifier, stabilizer