Comparing E221 - Sodium sulphite vs E300 - Ascorbic acid
Overview
Synonyms
Products
Found in 595 products
Found in 3,523 products
Search rank & volume
Awareness score
Search volume over time
Interest over time for 3 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Interest over time for 4 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Popular questions
What is the formula for sodium sulfite?
Na2SO3; it’s also commonly available as the heptahydrate Na2SO3·7H2O.
What is the chemical formula for sodium sulfite?
Na2SO3 (sodium sulfite), sometimes encountered as the heptahydrate Na2SO3·7H2O.
Is sodium phosphate a sulfite?
No—sodium phosphate contains the phosphate anion (PO4^3-), not the sulfite anion (SO3^2-).
What is sodium sulfite used for?
It’s an antioxidant/preservative that prevents browning and oxidation and helps stabilize color and flavor in foods like dried fruits and potatoes; in wine it also helps control unwanted microbes.
"sodium sulfite as a preservative is not allowed on what foods"?
In the U.S., sulfiting agents like sodium sulfite are not allowed on fresh fruits and vegetables intended to be served or sold raw to consumers (e.g., salad bars, fresh-cut produce).
Is ascorbic acid bad for you?
No—ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is considered safe at typical food levels and is essential for health; it’s GRAS in the U.S. and approved in the EU. Very high supplemental doses can cause gastrointestinal upset and, in susceptible people, increase kidney stone risk.
Can dogs have ascorbic acid?
Yes, small amounts in foods are safe, but dogs synthesize their own vitamin C and usually don’t need supplements. High doses may cause diarrhea, so consult a veterinarian before supplementing.
What is ascorbic acid made from?
Commercial ascorbic acid is typically made from glucose (often derived from corn, wheat, or cassava) that’s converted via microbial fermentation and chemical steps into L‑ascorbic acid.
How is ascorbic acid made?
Industrially, D‑glucose is converted to 2‑keto‑L‑gulonic acid by fermentation (or via the older Reichstein process: glucose → sorbitol → L‑sorbose → 2‑KGA) and then chemically cyclized to ascorbic acid. Modern methods use two-step fermentation to improve efficiency.
Is ascorbic acid the same as citric acid?
No—ascorbic acid (E300) is vitamin C and an antioxidant, while citric acid (E330) is a different compound mainly used as an acidulant and does not provide vitamin C.