frc - Food Reality Check

What is E221? – Complete guide to understanding E221 (Sodium Sulfite) in your food

What is E221? Complete guide to understanding E221 (Sodium Sulfite) in your food The Quick Answer E221 is sodium sulfite—a sodium salt of sulfurous acid that functions as a preservative,…

E-Numbers & Additives

What is E242? – Complete guide to understanding Dimethyl Dicarbonate

What is E242? Complete guide to understanding E242 (Dimethyl Dicarbonate) — a synthetic preservative that completely breaks down before consumption ✅ Safety Status: E242 (Dimethyl Dicarbonate) is approved and safe.…

E-Numbers & Additives

What is E239? – Complete guide to understanding Hexamethylenetetramine

What is E239? Complete guide to understanding E239 (Hexamethylenetetramine) — a controversial preservative that releases formaldehyde in stomach acid ⚠️ IMPORTANT: E239 RELEASES FORMALDEHYDE E239 (Hexamethylenetetramine) is UNIQUE among food…

E-Numbers & Additives

What is E238? – Complete guide to understanding Calcium Formate

What is E238? Complete guide to understanding E238 (Calcium Formate) — an animal feed preservative NOT approved for human food 🐄 CRITICAL DISTINCTION: E238 (Calcium Formate) is ONLY approved for…

E-Numbers & Additives

What is E503? – Complete guide to understanding ammonium carbonates in your food

What is E503? Complete guide to understanding ammonium carbonates in your food The Quick Answer E503 is ammonium carbonates—a mixture of ammonium carbonate and ammonium bicarbonate—used primarily as a leavening…

E-Numbers & Additives

What is E509? – Complete Guide to understanding Calcium Chloride in your food

What is E509? Complete guide to understanding E509 (Calcium Chloride) in your food The Quick Answer E509 is a mineral salt used as a firming and stabilizing agent. It's used…

E-Numbers & Additives

What is E476? – Complete guide to understanding polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR) in your food

What is E476? Complete guide to understanding polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR) in your food The Quick Answer E476 is polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR), an emulsifier made from glycerol and castor oil fatty…

E-Numbers & Additives

What is E900? – Complete guide to understanding Dimethylpolysiloxane in your food

What is E900? Complete guide to understanding E900 (Dimethylpolysiloxane) in your food The Quick Answer E900 is a silicon-based anti-foaming agent. It's used in food to prevent foam and bubbling…

E-Numbers & Additives

What is E952? – Complete Guide to understanding Sodium Cyclamate in your food

What is E952? Complete guide to understanding E952 (Sodium Cyclamate) in your food The Quick Answer E952 is a synthetic artificial sweetener. It's used in food as a sugar substitute…

E-Numbers & Additives

What is E581? – Complete guide to understanding Sodium Iron EDTA

What is E581? Complete guide to understanding E581 (Sodium Iron EDTA) — a chelated iron with 2-3x superior bioavailability, approved for supervised food fortification to treat iron deficiency anemia, regulated…