What is E307?
Complete guide to understanding E307 (Alpha-Tocopherol) — a natural and essential vitamin E used as a safe antioxidant food additive
The Quick Answer
E307 (Alpha-Tocopherol) is vitamin E — an essential nutrient and powerful antioxidant used to prevent fats and oils in foods from becoming rancid.
Unlike many synthetic food additives, E307 is a naturally-occurring vitamin that also provides nutritional benefits. It’s extracted from vegetable oils like sunflower oil or synthesized chemically, but either form provides the same nutritional benefit.
It’s one of the most extensively studied and safest food additives, approved worldwide with no documented safety concerns at food use levels.
📌 Quick Facts
- Chemical Name: Alpha-Tocopherol (α-tocopherol); also called Vitamin E or d-alpha-tocopherol (natural form)
- Type: Natural antioxidant and essential nutrient; fat-soluble vitamin
- Found in: Cooking oils, margarine, cheese, snacks, baked goods, cereals, dietary supplements
- Safety Status: Extremely safe; approved globally; no ADI set due to essential nutrient status
- Approved by: EFSA, FDA, JECFA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, all major jurisdictions
- Tolerable Upper Intake Level: 300 mg/day (from ALL sources combined)
- Regulatory finding: EFSA concludes “not of safety concern” at food use levels
- Main benefit: Prevents food rancidity AND provides essential vitamin E nutrition
- No known toxicity: At food additive levels; safe for children and infants (with age-appropriate restrictions)
What Exactly Is It?
E307 is alpha-tocopherol, a naturally-occurring form of vitamin E — either extracted from plant oils or synthetically produced. Either way, the vitamin E activity is identical.
Chemical formula: C₂₉H₅₀O₂ — a fat-soluble organic compound with a characteristic ring structure and long hydrocarbon tail.
Key properties:
– Highly effective antioxidant in fats and oils
– Essential nutrient for human health
– Fat-soluble; integrates into cell membranes
– Neutralizes free radicals, preventing oxidative damage
– Naturally present in vegetable oils, nuts, seeds
– Can be extracted from plants OR synthesized chemically
– Most biologically active of 8 vitamin E forms
– Preferentially absorbed by body over other tocopherols
Two chemical forms exist:
– Natural (RRR-α-tocopherol or d-alpha-tocopherol): Extracted from vegetable oils; body preferentially absorbs this form
– Synthetic (all-rac-α-tocopherol or dl-alpha-tocopherol): Chemically synthesized; racemic mixture; ~1.5-2x less bioavailable than natural form
Important distinction: The label E307 can refer to either form; they’re chemically different but both approved and safe.
Where You’ll Find It
E307 is extremely widespread in foods, and its use is uncontroversial:
| Category | Specific Examples | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking Oils | Vegetable oils, seed oils, olive oil, canola oil | Prevents oxidation and rancidity during storage |
| Fats & Margarine | Butter, margarine, spreads | Prevents fat oxidation; maintains freshness |
| Snacks & Pastries | Crackers, baked goods, pastries, cereal bars | In fats/oils used in products |
| Dairy Products | Cheese, yogurt, milk, cream products | Antioxidant preservation |
| Cereals & Grains | Breakfast cereals, grain products | Fortification and preservation |
| Prepared Foods | Soups, sauces, meal preparations | In fat-containing components |
| Dietary Supplements | Vitamin E supplements, multivitamins | Nutritional supplementation |
| Cosmetics | Skincare creams, lotions, sunscreens | Antioxidant and skin conditioning |
| Animal Feed | Approved for all animal species | Preservation and nutrition |
Permitted levels: Varies by product category; EU allows quantum satis (as much as needed) for most uses due to safety profile.
Why Use E307 as a Food Additive?
E307 serves two functions that no other additive can match:
1. Food Preservation (Primary Function):
– Prevents oxidation of fats and oils
– Stops rancidity development
– Extends shelf life significantly
– Prevents flavor degradation
– Maintains nutritional quality
– Enables storage without refrigeration
2. Nutritional Addition (Unique Benefit):
– Provides essential vitamin E
– Supports immune function
– Antioxidant protection in body
– Cardiovascular health support
– No other antioxidant additive provides this dual benefit
Why E307 instead of synthetic alternatives?
– Can be naturally sourced (appeals to consumers)
– Provides nutritional benefit
– Essential nutrient status
– Consumers familiar with “vitamin E”
– Excellent safety record
– Cost-effective
Is It Safe? Definitively Yes
The Official Position
E307 is among the safest food additives available. Regulatory approval is unequivocal.
| Authority | Position | Safety Finding | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| EFSA (2015) | Comprehensive re-evaluation | “Not of safety concern at food use levels” | Stable approval |
| JECFA (WHO) | Approved | ADI 0.15-2 mg/kg bw/day | Ongoing approval |
| FDA (US) | GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) | Approved without restriction | Ongoing |
| All major jurisdictions | Approved globally | No safety concerns documented | Universal approval |
Safety Highlights
Unique regulatory distinction:
Unlike most food additives, EFSA did NOT establish an ADI (Acceptable Daily Intake) for E307. Why? Because its safety profile and essential nutrient status make an ADI unnecessary. Instead, EFSA set a Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for vitamin E:
Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL): 300 mg/day for adults (from ALL sources combined — food + supplements + additive)
For perspective on typical consumption:
– Food additive use: Usually 10-100 mg per serving
– Typical diet: 5-15 mg/day naturally
– Supplements: 400 IU/day (268 mg) commonly used
– Total typical intake: Well below 300 mg/day UL
Toxicity Assessment
| Safety Criterion | Finding | Conclusion |
|---|---|---|
| Acute Toxicity | Very low at food use levels | Safe to consume |
| Chronic Toxicity | No adverse effects at food additive levels; NOAEL 125 mg/kg bw/day in animals | Safe for long-term exposure |
| Genotoxicity | No concern; not genotoxic | Does not damage DNA |
| Carcinogenicity | No concern; not carcinogenic | Does not cause cancer |
| Reproductive/Developmental | Insufficient data but no concerns at food levels | No documented risk |
| Allergenicity | Not documented as allergen | Safe for most populations |
| Overall Assessment | EFSA: “Not of safety concern”; No ADI required | Among safest additives available |
Important Note on High-Dose Supplements
Some older studies suggested high-dose vitamin E supplements (>400 IU/day) might increase stroke risk.
However:
– This applies to SUPPLEMENT use, not food additive use
– Food additive levels are far too low to cause these effects
– Recent research has revised these concerns
– Vitamin E is essential; deficiency causes neurological disease
– Normal dietary intake is completely safe
Natural vs. Synthetic E307
Two forms of E307 exist, and the distinction is interesting but not a safety issue:
| Property | Natural (RRR-α-tocopherol) | Synthetic (all-rac-α-tocopherol) |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Extracted from vegetable oils | Chemically synthesized |
| Chemical form | Single stereoisomer (most active) | Racemic mixture of 8 stereoisomers |
| Bioavailability | Higher (~1.5-2x better absorption) | Lower (body converts some forms) |
| Body preference | Preferentially retained; liver selects this form | Some forms excreted; less efficient |
| Safety | Completely safe | Completely safe |
| Cost | More expensive | Less expensive |
| Label disclosure | Often not distinguished; just says E307 | Often not distinguished; just says E307 |
Safety bottom line: Both forms are equally safe. The natural form is more nutritionally efficient, but at food additive levels, the difference is negligible.
Health Benefits (Beyond Food Preservation)
E307 is not just a preservative—it’s an essential nutrient with documented health benefits:
– Antioxidant protection: Prevents free radical damage to cell membranes
– Cardiovascular health: Reduces LDL oxidation; supports healthy cholesterol
– Immune function: Essential for healthy immune response
– Neurological protection: May prevent neurodegenerative diseases
– Skin health: Protects against UV damage and aging
– Vision health: Supports eye health and macular degeneration prevention
– Essential nutrient: Deficiency causes serious neurological disorders
Scientific consensus: Vitamin E is essential for human health; no controversy about its benefits.
The Bottom Line
E307 (Alpha-Tocopherol) is an essential nutrient and one of the safest food additives available.
What you should know:
- It’s extremely safe: EFSA found it “not of safety concern”; no ADI needed due to safety profile
- It’s nutritious: Provides essential vitamin E alongside preservative function
- It’s natural: Can be extracted from plants, though synthetic form also available
- It’s globally approved: No regulatory controversy or restrictions
- It’s unequivocally safe: Even high-dose supplements are safe for most people; food additive levels are far lower
- It’s essential: Vitamin E is a nutrient your body needs; deficiency causes disease
- It prevents waste: Extends food shelf life, reducing spoilage
- Safe for children: Approved for use in children’s foods