Antioxidant · EU 301
Sodium Ascorbate
FDA status: Approved. EU: Approved. No U.S. state has enacted a specific ban yet.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Sodium Ascorbate 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 #77 of 417.
- #77 of 417 by tracked product prevalence
The verdict
Sodium Ascorbate is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it. By Open Food Facts product count it sits #77 of 417 among additives with tracked product presence (82nd percentile).
- 4/5
- Low Risk
- Approved
- FDA status
- #77 of 417
- product-prevalence rank
- 0
- state regulations
Product-footprint and regulatory snapshot
Sodium Ascorbate: 486 tracked U.S. products (common band, #77 of 417) frame how often this additive appears on shelves.
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Tracked Products | 486 · #77 of 417 | Open Food Facts (US) |
| FDA Status | Approved | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Approved | EC 1333/2008 |
| E-Number | 301 | 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 Sodium Ascorbate?
SODIUM ASCORBATE is one of a number of mineral salts of ascorbic acid -vitamin C-.
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 (486 tracked here); safety-score column omitted on prevalence-led pages.
Nearest OFF product count to 486
Nearest other additives by Open Food Facts product count (floored at ≥50).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sodium Ascorbate safe to consume?
Sodium Ascorbate scores 4/5 (Low Risk). FDA status is Approved. On the Open Food Facts U.S. sample it is a common additive (486 tracked products, #77 of 417), so product footprint, not just the score label, frames how widely a shopper will meet it.
What is Sodium Ascorbate used for in food?
Sodium Ascorbate shows up as Oils, fats, processed foods, baked goods in the Antioxidant class, and the OFF sample puts it in the common footprint band (486 products).
Where does Sodium Ascorbate sit among food additives PlainIngredients tracks?
Among additives with at least one tracked product, it ranks #77 of 417 by Open Food Facts product count. See /methodology#corpus-placement for the ranking bases.
What health concerns are associated with Sodium Ascorbate?
Research has identified the following health concerns for Sodium Ascorbate: 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.