Watch
E316 — Sodium erythorbate
Antioxidant
E316 (Sodium erythorbate), a antioxidant, is rated "watch": fine in moderation. The sodium salt of erythorbic acid. Standard cured-meat antioxidant that also blocks nitrosamine formation.
What is Sodium erythorbate?
The water-soluble sodium salt of erythorbic acid. Used in cured meats, hot dogs, bacon, and some canned goods.
What does it do to the body?
Useful safety angle: it speeds the curing reaction and helps reduce nitrosamine formation from nitrites in the same product. No safety concern at food levels.
What regulators say
EFSA and the FDA both treat it as a safe additive with no specific numerical limit.
Risk rating: Watch
Mixed evidence or a specific concern (gut, allergy, or contested safety data). Not alarming, but worth keeping an eye on rather than eating without limit.
Frequently asked questions
Is E316 (Sodium erythorbate) safe?
EFSA and the FDA both treat it as a safe additive with no specific numerical limit.
What is E316 (Sodium erythorbate)?
The water-soluble sodium salt of erythorbic acid. Used in cured meats, hot dogs, bacon, and some canned goods.
What does Sodium erythorbate do to the body?
Useful safety angle: it speeds the curing reaction and helps reduce nitrosamine formation from nitrites in the same product. No safety concern at food levels.
What are other names for E316?
E316 is also known as sodium erythorbate, sodium isoascorbate.
