E304 — Ascorbyl palmitate

Needs verification

E304 (Ascorbyl palmitate) needs verification. Vitamin C joined to a fatty acid so it dissolves in fat.

Why it needs verification

The fatty acid can come from plants or from animal fat, and the label never says which.

Where you meet it

Oils, infant formula, savoury snacks.

What to do in the shop

Look for a product that names the source, says plant-based or vegan, or carries a halal certificate. If nothing on the packet settles it, the manufacturer can tell you, and their answer is the only thing that turns E304 from a question into an answer.

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 E304 halal?

E304 (Ascorbyl palmitate) needs verification. The fatty acid can come from plants or from animal fat, and the label never says which.

How do I know if the E304 in a product is halal?

Only the manufacturer can tell you which source they used, unless the packet says plant-based, vegan, or carries a halal certificate.

Related additives

E422 — Glycerol (glycerine) · Needs verification
E431 — Polyoxyethylene stearate · Needs verification
E432 — Polysorbate 20 · Needs verification

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 These statuses combine published scholarly positions with ingredient analysis, and they can be incomplete or out of date.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.