Comparing E300 - Ascorbic acid vs E222 - Sodium bisulphite
Overview
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Found in 3,523 products
Found in 1,804 products
Search rank & volume
Awareness score
Search volume over time
Interest over time for 4 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Interest over time for 3 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Popular questions
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.
Is sodium bisulfite bad for you?
At approved food-use levels, sodium bisulfite (E222) is considered safe; regulators set a group ADI of 0–0.7 mg/kg body weight expressed as SO2. However, sulfite‑sensitive people—especially some asthmatics—may experience reactions like wheezing, hives, or headaches and should avoid it.
What is sodium bisulfite used for?
It’s an antioxidant and preservative that prevents browning and oxidation and helps control microbes, commonly used in products like wines, dried fruits, shrimp, and cut potatoes.
What is sodium bisulfite in food?
It’s a sulfiting agent (E222) that releases sulfur dioxide to protect color and flavor and extend shelf life; it must be declared on labels when present above about 10 ppm (as SO2).
How much sodium bisulfite to neutralize chlorine?
Approximately 1.5 mg of sodium bisulfite (NaHSO3) is needed per 1 mg of free chlorine (as Cl2) per liter, stoichiometrically. In practice use a slight excess and confirm with a chlorine test; the reaction releases heat and SO2, so handle carefully.
Is sodium bisulfite gluten free?
Yes—sodium bisulfite is a synthetic mineral salt and contains no gluten; any gluten risk would come from other ingredients, not the additive itself.