Antioxidant · EU 300
Ascorbic Acid
FDA status: Approved. EU: Approved. No U.S. state has enacted a specific ban yet.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Ascorbic Acid is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it independently of federal policy. Its composite safety score is 4 out of 5 (Low Risk), and the European Union separately classifies it as approved. By tracked product count it ranks #6 of 417.
- #6 of 417 by tracked product prevalence
The verdict
Ascorbic Acid is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it. By Open Food Facts product count it sits #6 of 417 among additives with tracked product presence (99th percentile).
- 4/5
- Low Risk
- Approved
- FDA status
- #6 of 417
- product-prevalence rank
- 0
- state regulations
Product-footprint and regulatory snapshot
Ascorbic Acid: 4,447 tracked U.S. products (common band, #6 of 417) frame how often this additive appears on shelves.
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Tracked Products | 4,447 · #6 of 417 | Open Food Facts (US) |
| FDA Status | Approved | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Approved | EC 1333/2008 |
| E-Number | 300 | EU additive register |
| CAS Number | - | CAS Registry |
| Category | Antioxidant | FDA functional class |
| Composite Safety Score | 4 / 5 (Low Risk) | PlainIngredients methodology |
| EFSA ADI | Not established | EFSA scientific opinion |
| U.S. State Actions | 0 states | State legislative records |
Values reflect official agency classifications as published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Union's regulatory framework. See our methodology for scoring details.
What is Ascorbic Acid?
Ascorbic Acid is a food additive (300) classified as antioxidant.
Health Concerns
- EFSA evaluation: Scientific Opinion on the re‐evaluation of ascorbic acid -E 300-, sodium ascorbate -E 301- and calcium ascorbate -E 302- as food additives
Common Uses
Shelf-footprint peer axes
Nationwide peers for a common OFF footprint
Nearest OFF product-count peers (4,447 tracked here); safety-score column omitted on prevalence-led pages.
Nearest OFF product count to 4,447
Nearest other additives by Open Food Facts product count (floored at ≥50).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ascorbic Acid safe to consume?
Ascorbic Acid scores 4/5 (Low Risk). FDA status is Approved. On the Open Food Facts U.S. sample it is a common additive (4,447 tracked products, #6 of 417), so product footprint, not just the score label, frames how widely a shopper will meet it.
What is Ascorbic Acid used for in food?
Ascorbic Acid shows up as Oils, fats, processed foods, baked goods in the Antioxidant class, and the OFF sample puts it in the common footprint band (4,447 products).
Where does Ascorbic Acid sit among food additives PlainIngredients tracks?
Among additives with at least one tracked product, it ranks #6 of 417 by Open Food Facts product count. See /methodology#corpus-placement for the ranking bases.
What health concerns are associated with Ascorbic Acid?
Research has identified the following health concerns for Ascorbic Acid: EFSA evaluation: Scientific Opinion on the re‐evaluation of ascorbic acid -E 300-, sodium ascorbate -E 301- and calcium ascorbate -E 302- as food additives. These findings inform its safety score of 4/5. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance, especially if you have pre-existing conditions.