frc - Food Reality Check

What is E901? – Complete guide to understanding Beeswax – the natural glazing agent from honeybees

What is E901? Complete guide to understanding E901 (Beeswax) – the natural glazing agent from honeybees The Quick Answer E901 is beeswax—a natural waxy substance produced by honeybees (Apis mellifera…

Sweets & Baking

Soy Lecithin in Chocolate: Why It’s There & What It Does

Soy lecithin—a natural emulsifier—reduces chocolate viscosity and improves flow properties without adding fat. Understanding lecithin's emulsifying mechanism explains why it's essential in commercial chocolate and why premium chocolates typically use…

Sweets & Baking

Mono- & Diglycerides in Cake Mix: What Are They & Why?

Mono- and diglycerides are emulsifiers derived from fats or oils, used in cake mixes to improve batter stability, increase volume, and create finer crumb structure. Understanding their emulsifying function explains…

How Food is Made

How Is Maple Syrup Made? Complete Process Explained

How Is Maple Syrup Made? From tree sap to golden sweetener through tapping, boiling, and precise temperature control. The Overview Maple syrup is produced by tapping sugar maple trees in…

Food Safety & Health

How to Read Food Labels Like an Expert

Decode Marketing Claims and Make Informed Choices Food labels contain a wealth of information—but manufacturers often use strategic design, confusing terminology, and marketing claims to influence your purchasing decisions. Understanding…

E-Numbers & Additives

What is E301? – Complete guide to understanding Sodium Ascorbate in your food

What is E301? Complete guide to understanding E301 (Sodium Ascorbate) in your food The Quick Answer E301 is the sodium salt of vitamin C (ascorbic acid)—an essential nutrient that functions…

Sweets & Baking

How Are Cookies Made? Complete Process Explained

How Are Cookies Made? From flour and butter to bakery shelves through mixing, shaping, and precise baking. The Overview Cookies are made by combining flour, fat (butter or oil), sugar,…

E-Numbers & Additives

What is E481? – Complete guide to understanding sodium stearoyl lactylate in your food

What is E481? Complete guide to understanding sodium stearoyl lactylate in your food The Quick Answer E481 is sodium stearoyl lactylate (SSL), a versatile emulsifier and dough conditioner derived from…

E-Numbers & Additives

What is E482? – Complete guide to understanding calcium stearoyl lactylate in your food

What is E482? Complete guide to understanding calcium stearoyl lactylate in your food The Quick Answer E482 is calcium stearoyl lactylate (CSL), a versatile emulsifier and dough conditioner derived from…

E-Numbers & Additives

What is E483? – Complete guide to stearyl tartrate—a banned food additive

What is E483? Complete guide to stearyl tartrate—a banned food additive ⚠️ CRITICAL UPDATE: Stearyl tartrate (E483) was REMOVED from the EU list of approved food additives effective April 23,…