frc - Food Reality Check

What is E227? – Complete guide to understanding Calcium Hydrogen Sulfite in your food

What is E227? Complete guide to understanding E227 (Calcium Hydrogen Sulfite) in your food The Quick Answer E227 is calcium hydrogen sulfite (also called calcium bisulfite), a preservative and antioxidant…

E-Numbers & Additives

What is E226? – Complete guide to understanding Calcium Sulfite in your food

What is E226? Complete guide to understanding E226 (Calcium Sulfite) in your food The Quick Answer E226 is calcium sulfite, a preservative and antioxidant additive used in food. It's used…

E-Numbers & Additives

What is E538? – Complete guide to understanding Calcium Ferrocyanide

What is E538? Complete guide to understanding E538 (Calcium Ferrocyanide) — a water-insoluble anti-caking agent for salt that contains cyanide but poses zero health risk ⚠️ CONTAINS CYANIDE BUT IS…

E-Numbers & Additives

What is E225? – Complete guide to understanding Potassium Sulfite in your food

What is E225? Complete guide to understanding E225 (Potassium Sulfite) in your food The Quick Answer E225 is potassium sulfite, a food preservative and antioxidant. It's used in food to…

E-Numbers & Additives

What is E306? – Complete guide to understanding Tocopherols in your food

What is E306? Complete guide to understanding E306 (Tocopherols) in your food The Quick Answer E306 is a natural antioxidant derived from vitamin E. It's used in food to prevent…

E-Numbers & Additives

What is E162? – Complete guide to understanding Beetroot Red in your food

What is E162? Complete guide to understanding E162 (Beetroot Red) in your food The Quick Answer E162 is a natural red food dye extracted from beetroot. It's used in food…

Meat & Seafood

What’s Really in Processed Meats? Complete Additive Breakdown

Beyond basic meat, processed products contain various additives serving specific functions. Understanding what these ingredients do, why they're included, and whether they're actually concerning helps you make informed choices about…

E-Numbers & Additives

What is E224? – Complete guide to understanding Potassium Metabisulfite in your food

What is E224? Complete guide to understanding E224 (Potassium Metabisulfite) in your food The Quick Answer E224 is potassium metabisulfite—a potassium salt of sulfurous acid that functions as a preservative,…

Meat & Seafood

Nitrites in Ham & Bacon: Safety, Purpose & Health Concerns

Sodium nitrite is one of the most debated ingredients in processed meats. This guide explains why nitrites are used, why regulatory agencies approve them, what health concerns actually exist, and…

Meat & Seafood

Dry Curing vs. Brining: Traditional Methods Explained

Two fundamental methods of curing meat have existed for centuries: dry curing and wet curing (brining). These techniques produce dramatically different results and are chosen based on intended use, cut…