E318 – Calcium erythorbate
AntioxidantsDescription
White to slightly yellow crystalline powder
Notes
## E318 - Sodium Erythorbyl Palmitate **Sodium erythorbyl palmitate** is the sodium salt version of E317, created by taking **erythorbyl palmitate** and combining it with **sodium**. This modification makes the additive more water-dispersible while still maintaining its fat-soluble antioxidant properties. Like its parent compound, it's built from **erythorbic acid** (synthetic vitamin C) and **palmitic acid**, but the sodium addition helps it mix more easily into various food systems. This additive serves as a **dual-purpose antioxidant** that can work in both fatty and watery parts of food products, making it particularly useful in **emulsified products** like mayonnaise, salad dressings, processed meats, and baked goods. It prevents rancidity in fats while also protecting water-soluble nutrients and flavors from degradation, giving food manufacturers more flexibility in product formulation. **E318 is synthetic** and suitable for **vegetarian and vegan diets**, containing no animal-derived ingredients. However, people on **low-sodium diets** should be aware that this additive does contribute a small amount of sodium to foods. It's approved for use in various countries under regulated limits and is considered safe for general consumption, though it's not as widely used as some more common antioxidants.