frc - Food Reality Check

Why Plant-Based Meat Doesn’t Taste Like Meat: Flavor Chemistry Explained

Plant-based meat's flavor profile differs from animal meat due to fundamentally different chemistry. Meat's umami/savory flavors come from creatine, carnosine, and amino acid degradation during cooking. Plant proteins lack these…

E-Numbers & Additives

What is E200? – Complete guide to understanding Sorbic Acid in your food

What is E200? Complete guide to understanding E200 (Sorbic Acid) in your food The Quick Answer E200 is sorbic acid—a chemically-synthesized preservative that inhibits growth of molds, yeasts, and some…

E-Numbers & Additives

What is E220? – Complete guide to understanding Sulfur Dioxide in your food

What is E220? Complete guide to understanding E220 (Sulfur Dioxide) in your food The Quick Answer E220 is sulfur dioxide (SO₂)—a colorless, pungent-smelling gas used as a preservative and antioxidant…

E-Numbers & Additives

What is E142? – Complete guide to understanding Green S in your food

What is E142? Complete guide to understanding E142 (Green S) in your food The Quick Answer E142 is a synthetic green food dye. It's used in food to give products…

E-Numbers & Additives

What is E244? – Complete guide to understanding chitosan in your food

What is E244? Complete guide to understanding chitosan in your food ⚠️ IMPORTANT ALLERGEN WARNING: E244 (chitosan) is derived from crustacean shells (shrimp, crabs, lobsters). If you are allergic to…

E-Numbers & Additives

Can Chocolate Go Moldy? Mold Risk in Cocoa Products

Pure chocolate rarely develops visible mold due to low water content, but mold can contaminate cocoa beans during fermentation/storage, and chocolate products with higher moisture content (fillings, added ingredients) are…

E-Numbers & Additives

What is E461? – Complete guide to understanding methyl cellulose in your food

What is E461? Complete guide to understanding methyl cellulose in your food The Quick Answer E461 is methyl cellulose, a plant-based thickener and stabilizer derived from cellulose. It's used to…

E-Numbers & Additives

What is E462? – Complete guide to understanding ethyl cellulose in your food

What is E462? Complete guide to understanding ethyl cellulose in your food The Quick Answer E462 is ethyl cellulose, a plant-based thickener and stabilizer derived from cellulose. It's used to…

E-Numbers & Additives

What is E463? – Complete guide to understanding hydroxypropyl cellulose in your food

What is E463? Complete guide to understanding hydroxypropyl cellulose in your food The Quick Answer E463 is hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), a plant-based thickener and stabilizer derived from cellulose. It's used…

E-Numbers & Additives

What is E312? – Complete guide to understanding Dodecyl Gallate

What is E312? Complete guide to understanding E312 (Dodecyl Gallate) — a banned synthetic antioxidant with critical data gaps 🚫 CRITICAL: E312 IS BANNED IN THE EUROPEAN UNION E312 (Dodecyl…