Ascorbates, vitamin C salts (E301, E302)

No concern

Salts of vitamin C (E300), used to stop food browning and to keep cured meat its colour. The vitamin C is produced by fermenting plant sugars.

E301 — Sodium ascorbate

The sodium salt of vitamin C, used to stop food browning.

Why it raises no question. The vitamin C is made by fermenting plant sugars; the sodium is a mineral salt.

Where you meet it. Cured meat, juices, bread, tinned fruit.

E302 — Calcium ascorbate

Vitamin C paired with calcium.

Why it raises no question. Same fermentation route as E301, with mineral calcium.

Where you meet it. Juices, fruit preparations, supplements.

What to do in the shop

Nothing special to do for E301 itself. Read the rest of the list: a product is only as clear as its least clear ingredient.

A status here describes the additive in general — a specific product can be different. The same number can be made from plant or animal material depending on the manufacturer, and the label does not say which.

Questions people ask

Is E301 halal?

E301 (Sodium ascorbate) — No concern. The vitamin C is made by fermenting plant sugars; the sodium is a mineral salt.

Is E302 halal?

E302 (Calcium ascorbate) — No concern. Same fermentation route as E301, with mineral calcium.

Related additives

See all E-numbers →

Check a product, not just a number

An additive's status describes the additive in general. What matters is the whole ingredient list on the packet in your hand.

This is information, not a fatwa. These statuses combine published scholarly positions with ingredient analysis, and they can be incomplete or out of date. For anything that matters, confirm with the manufacturer and with a qualified authority.