What is E315?
Erythorbic acid (E315) is an antioxidant used to help maintain colour and quality in specified foods. Goodnessly rates E315 Safe, while food-category permissions and the relevant regulator assessment still apply.
Erythorbic acid (E315) is an antioxidant used to help maintain colour and quality in specified foods. Check the food category, amount and full formulation rather than judging one ingredient in isolation.
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Read the FAQ →
What is Erythorbic acid?
Erythorbic acid is the stereoisomer of ascorbic acid used as a food antioxidant. Its technological role is to help limit oxidation-related quality changes.
What's it used for?
- Supporting colour retention
- Helping protect flavour and quality
- Supporting antioxidant function in selected foods
- Working in permitted cured and prepared food applications
Where you'll find E315 on the shelf
You may see E315 in processed meats, seafood, beverages and other foods where oxidation and colour stability need to be managed.
Is E315 permitted? What the regulators say
E315 is listed or permitted in the three systems checked, with category, level and specification conditions applying.
| Region | Status | What this means |
|---|---|---|
| AU/NZ Australia & New Zealand (FSANZ) | Permitted with conditions | FSANZ lists 315 erythorbic acid with the current Schedule 15 food-category permissions. [FSANZ source] |
| EU European Union (EUR-Lex) | Authorised with conditions | The Union list includes E315 erythorbic acid for specified food categories and conditions. [EUR-Lex source] |
| US United States (FDA) | Permitted with conditions | FDA lists erythorbic acid as a GRAS direct food ingredient under 21 CFR 182.3049, subject to good manufacturing practice. |
Goodnessly rates E315 Safe within its rating system. The rating does not remove the need to consider the product category, amount or full formulation.
- JECFA’s specification for erythorbic acid was prepared at its 37th meeting and revised for metals and arsenic specifications at its 61st meeting. The current sources checked do not identify a newer EFSA numerical ADI for E315.
- JECFA established an ADI not specified for erythorbic acid. That conclusion applies to the specified uses and does not replace the food-category conditions in local regulations.
- An ADI or “not specified” conclusion is a population risk-assessment reference, not a statement that a particular food is unsafe.
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 antioxidants in prepared foods
- People checking colour-retention ingredients
- People who want to consider the full formulation
Goodnessly rates E315 Safe as a practical prompt to understand the ingredient, the product and the overall formulation.
How to spot it on a label
Look for:
- Erythorbic acid
- Isoascorbic acid
- 315 or E315
- Antioxidant (315)
Ingredient labels may use the name, the number, or the additive class followed by the number.
Related additives
Frequently asked questions
What is E315?
E315 is erythorbic acid, an antioxidant used in specified foods to help maintain colour and quality.
Is E315 permitted?
E315 is listed with conditions in Australia/New Zealand and the EU. FDA lists erythorbic acid for direct food use under 21 CFR 182.3049.
Does E315 have an ADI?
JECFA established an ADI not specified for erythorbic acid for the specified uses.
How does Goodnessly rate E315?
Goodnessly rates E315 (erythorbic acid) as Safe within its rating system.
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