What is E308?
Antioxidant used in specified foods to help protect fats and oils from oxidation. Goodnessly rates E308 Safe, while food-category permissions and the relevant regulator conditions still apply.
Antioxidant used in specified foods to help protect fats and oils from oxidation. Check the food category, amount and full formulation rather than judging one ingredient in isolation.
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Read the FAQ →
What is Gamma-tocopherol?
Gamma-tocopherol is antioxidant used in specified foods to help protect fats and oils from oxidation. Its function depends on the formulation and the conditions attached to the permitted use.
What's it used for?
- Supporting the stated technical function
- Helping maintain the intended texture or stability
- Contributing to a consistent formulation
- Serving a specified food or nutrient purpose
Where you'll find E308 on the shelf
You may see E308 in packaged foods where its technical function is useful and the food category permits it.
Is E308 permitted? What the regulators say
Tocopherols and gamma-tocopherol are listed in the checked AU/NZ and EU frameworks with conditions. Permission is conditional: category, level, identity and specifications matter.
| Region | Status | What this means |
|---|---|---|
| AU/NZ Australia & New Zealand (FSANZ) | Permitted with conditions | FSANZ lists 308 for specified food uses in the Food Standards Code. [FSANZ source] |
| EU European Union (EUR-Lex) | Authorised with conditions | The consolidated Union list includes E308 for specified categories and conditions. [EUR-Lex source] |
| US United States (FDA) | Permitted with conditions | FDA sources identify gamma-tocopherol for specified food uses: 21 CFR 182.3890/182.8890/184.1890 and the FDA Substances Added to Food inventory. [FDA source] |
Goodnessly rates E308 Safe within its rating system. The rating does not remove the need to consider the product category, amount or full formulation.
- The current consolidated EU Union list was checked for the listed identity and conditions of use.
- The current FDA food-substance and cited regulation records were checked for the listed identity and intended technical use.
- Regulatory permissions can change; confirm the primary source when a product, recipe or use is unusual.
This section is checked periodically rather than continuously — confirm the current primary source before relying on a regulatory detail.
Who might want to limit or avoid it
- People comparing additive functions across products
- People checking the frequency of this ingredient in their usual foods
- People who want to consider the whole formulation and serving pattern
Goodnessly rates E308 Safe as a practical prompt to understand the ingredient, the product and the overall formulation.
How to spot it on a label
Look for:
- Gamma-tocopherol
- 308
- E308
- Additive class (308)
Ingredient labels may use the name, the number, or the additive class followed by the number.
Related additives
Frequently asked questions
What is E308?
E308 is Gamma-tocopherol, antioxidant used in specified foods to help protect fats and oils from oxidation.
Is E308 permitted?
E308 is listed with conditions in Australia/New Zealand and the EU. FDA lists gamma-tocopherol for specified food uses.
What should I know about gamma-tocopherol?
Use depends on the food category, amount, identity and the applicable regulator conditions; a listing is not a blanket permission for every food.
How does Goodnessly rate E308?
Goodnessly rates E308 (Gamma-tocopherol) as Safe within its rating system.
Don't decode labels by hand
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