Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2016 Feb 5;5(1):4313.
doi: 10.4081/ijfs.2016.4313. eCollection 2016 Jan 18.

The Use of Ascorbic Acid as a Food Additive: Technical-Legal Issues

Michele Varvara  1 , Giancarlo Bozzo  1 , Giuseppe Celano  2 , Chiara Disanto  3 , Cosimo Nicola Pagliarone  3 , Gaetano Vitale Celano  1
Affiliations

The Use of Ascorbic Acid as a Food Additive: Technical-Legal Issues

Michele Varvara et al. Ital J Food Saf. .

Abstract

Ascorbic acid (C6H8O6) is an organic compound belonging to the family of monosaccharide. It is highly soluble in water, and is often called one of the secrets of the Mediterranean diet. Its use is widespread in the food industry is also important, having always been exploited for its antioxidant and stabilising ability. Many indeed are the additive formulations that take advantage of these properties. The purpose of this paper is to explain the characteristics that make ascorbic acid an important food additive and to emphasise the technical and legal issues related to its use in food productions. In particular, in the course of this employment, laws and scientific studies have been applied to the resolution of a lawsuit, having as its object the use of ascorbic acid in preparations of ground beef sold at a butcher shop. The views expressed in court by the technical consultant have led to the acquittal of the accused, in the light of the demonstrated and proven non-toxicity of the molecule and the use of a mixture of additives for the production of sausage. The European and national legislations, supported by numerous scientific studies, define the possible use of ascorbic acid according to the principle of quantum satis, and it can be used in foods for children. Our work aims to represent further evidence of the safety of use of ascorbic acid as a food additive, and - as confirmed by the legal decision reported - it wants to bring out the prospects for use of ascorbic acid for technological purposes even by registered establishments.

Keywords: Ascorbic acid; Food additive; Technical-legal issues.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Bauernfeind JC, Pinkert DM, 1970. Food processing with added ascorbic acid. Adv Food Res 18:219-315. - PubMed
    1. Cappelli P, Vannucchi V, 2009. Chimica degli alimenti. 3rd ed. Zanichelli, Bologna, Italy.
    1. Cerutti G, 2006. Residui, additivi e contaminanti degli alimenti. 2nd ed. Tecniche Nuove, Milan, Italy.
    1. European Commission, 2002. Regulation of the European Parliament and the Council laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety, 178/2002/EC. In: Official Journal, L 31/1, 28/01/2002.
    1. European Commission, 2004a. Regulation of the European Parliament and the Council laying down specific hygiene for on the hygiene of foodstuffs, 853/2004/EC. In: Official Journal, L 139/55, 29/04/2004.