E304 - Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ascorbyl Stearate

Author: Joe Fowler Time for reading: ~1 minutes Last Updated: January 27, 2026

E304 - Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ascorbyl Stearate

CHAPTERS (Table Of Contents)

Characteristics: Ascorbyl palmitate - food additive E304 protects food from spoilage, oxidation and bitter taste. Antioxidants can be natural and synthetic

Characteristic

Ascorbyl palmitate - food additive E304 protects food from spoilage, oxidation and the appearance of a bitter taste. Antioxidants can be natural and synthetic, they are needed in the preparation of fatty and fatty emulsions.

E 304 is a fatty ester, a component of ascorbic acid.

Ascorbyl palmitate is the result of the combination of palmitic acid with ascorbic acid, is a white powder with crystals, the smell is faint lemon, found in many plants. In the preparation of the additive E 304, impurities are formed: free fatty acids and ascorbic acid breakdown products.

Use

The antioxidant E 304 is used to prevent spoilage and rancidity of fats and vegetable oils, as well as to prevent oxidation of the dyes used.

Used:

in all types of fats that are not planned to be subjected to high temperatures
as an antioxidant in oils intended for salads, also in mayonnaise
in fats of animal origin
in the preparation of ready-made appetizers and potato dishes
actively added to flavors
as an emulsifier and biologically active substance
as a vitamin

Impact on humans

The maximum allowable daily dose of the supplement is 1.35 mg per 1 kg of body weight.

Ascorbyl palmitate breaks down very slowly in the small intestine to palmitic and ascorbic acids. Palmitic, like all fatty acids, is metabolized. At the same time, ascorbic acid decomposes to form oxalic acid.

Ascorbyl palmitate is approved for use in the production of milk powder, baby food and various fats. Harmful effects of the additive E 304 have not been observed and have not been demonstrated. Given the formation of oxalic acid in the body as a product of decomposition, provoking the formation of stones, ascorbyl palmitate should be used with caution in people with diseases of the bladder and kidneys.

E304 - Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ascorbyl Stearate

CHAPTERS (Table Of Contents)

Characteristic

Use

Impact on humans

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