Comparing E316 - sodium erythorbate vs E330 - Citric acid
Overview
Synonyms
Products
Found in 7,337 products
Found in 95,503 products
Search rank & volume
Awareness score
Search volume over time
Interest over time for 2 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Interest over time for 2 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Popular questions
Is sodium erythorbate bad for you?
No—regulators consider it safe at permitted food-use levels; most people tolerate it well, though very large intakes may cause mild gastrointestinal upset.
Is sodium erythorbate gluten free?
Yes. It’s a pure antioxidant made from sugars and contains no wheat, barley, or rye proteins, though you should check the overall product for other gluten sources.
What is sodium erythorbate made from?
It’s the sodium salt of erythorbic acid, produced by fermenting sugars (e.g., from corn, sugar cane, or beets) and then neutralizing with sodium—despite myths, it’s not made from earthworms.
Is sodium erythorbate a carcinogen?
No. It is not classified as a carcinogen and, in cured meats, it actually helps inhibit formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines.
What is sodium erythorbate used for in food?
It’s an antioxidant used mainly in cured meats to speed nitrite curing, maintain a pink color, improve flavor stability, and reduce nitrosamine formation; it’s also used in some beverages and baked goods.
Is citric acid bad for you?
At typical food levels, citric acid (E330) is considered safe by major regulators (GRAS; EFSA/JECFA). Concentrated or frequent acidic exposure can irritate the mouth/stomach or contribute to tooth enamel erosion.
Where does the citric acid cycle occur?
In eukaryotic cells it occurs in the mitochondrial matrix; in bacteria it occurs in the cytosol.
What does citric acid do to your body?
It is a normal intermediate in energy metabolism and is readily metabolized to carbon dioxide and water. Citrate can bind minerals, which may enhance absorption of some and help prevent certain kidney stones by increasing urinary citrate.
Where does citric acid come from?
It occurs naturally in citrus fruits, but most food-grade citric acid is produced by fermenting sugars (e.g., from corn, beet, or cane) with Aspergillus niger.
How is citric acid made?
Industrially, sugars are fermented with Aspergillus niger to produce citric acid, then it is recovered and purified—often by precipitating calcium citrate and converting it back with sulfuric acid or via ion-exchange/crystallization.