Is Ascorbic Acid (E300) Vegan?

Vegan status: Vegan

E-number: E300

Also known as: Vitamin C, L-ascorbic acid, Sodium ascorbate (E301), Calcium ascorbate (E302)

Source

Commercially produced by chemical synthesis from glucose (derived from corn or other plant starches). No animal products are used in its production.

Commonly found in

Bread, fresh fruit juice, jams, canned goods, breakfast cereals, frozen fish, baby foods, vitamin supplements, cosmetics. Also used to prevent browning in cut fruit and to improve dough strength.

Vegan alternative: No substitute needed — E300 and its salts are vegan.

Notes

Approximately 140,000 tonnes of vitamin C are manufactured annually globally, with China accounting for over 85% of supply. The chemical is identical to natural vitamin C but produced via a two-step process (Reichstein synthesis followed by fermentation, or entirely via fermentation). The 'natural' vs 'synthetic' vitamin C debate is nutritionally irrelevant — the molecule is chemically identical.