Other names for the additive (synonyms)
General Information
Alpha-tocopherol (food additive E307) is a form of vitamin E used in the food industry as an antioxidant. The additive slows down the oxidation of fats and other sensitive components of food products.
Unlike many other food additives, E307 has a natural origin. Alpha-tocopherol is naturally found in vegetable oils (sunflower, soybean, corn), nuts, seeds, and green vegetables. For industrial purposes, it can be either extracted from natural sources or synthesized chemically.
The history of vitamin E discovery began in the 1920s, when scientists investigated factors necessary for normal reproduction in animals. Later, the substance was identified as tocopherol, and its antioxidant properties opened the way for use in the food industry. Over time, alpha-tocopherol gained recognition both as a vitamin and as an approved food additive.
The chemical formula of E307 is C29H50O2. It is a fat-soluble, light yellow substance with an oily consistency, practically insoluble in water but well soluble in fats and oils. The additive is sensitive to light and oxygen but sufficiently stable under proper storage conditions.
For the food industry, alpha-tocopherol is obtained either by extraction from vegetable oils during refining or by chemical synthesis. Both methods produce a high-purity substance that meets safety standards.
Effects on the Body
Benefits of Additive E307
E307 is a form of vitamin E, a substance naturally required by the human body. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells from damage by free radicals. This is confirmed by scientific evaluations from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which recognizes the role of vitamin E in protecting cells from oxidative stress.
Since antioxidant E307 is a biologically active form of vitamin E, it is absorbed along with fats in the small intestine, partially stored in the liver and adipose tissue, and used as needed.
The JECFA (FAO/WHO Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives) also assessed tocopherols and established an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 0.15–2 mg/kg body weight per day for α-tocopherol and tocopherol mixtures as food antioxidants and additives, confirming that these levels are considered safe.
Risks of Additive E307
In normal amounts, alpha-tocopherol is safe and even necessary. However, like any fat-soluble substance, it may accumulate in the body if consumed excessively.
After absorption, excess vitamin E is gradually metabolized in the liver and excreted primarily in bile and partially in urine. Significant exceeding of the ADI may cause side effects such as blood clotting disorders or gastrointestinal disturbances.
EFSA notes that tocopherols have a defined safe intake level with a safety margin. The US FDA permits the use of tocopherols in foods and considers them safe when regulations are followed.
For most people, the risk is not from food but from excessive use of concentrated dietary supplements.
Uses
In the food industry, E307 is used as an antioxidant. Its main role is to prevent fat oxidation, which causes rancidity and loss of flavor quality.
The additive is most commonly used in:
- vegetable oils and fats;
- margarines;
- meat and sausage products;
- snacks and nuts;
- baby food;
- dietary supplements.
A key feature of E307 is its low dosage: a minimal amount is enough to protect products from oxidation without altering taste or smell.
Legal Status
In the European Union, E307 is approved for use under Regulation (EU) No 1333/2008 with adherence to usage standards.
In Ukraine, E307 is permitted and harmonized with EU regulations.
Tocopherols, including alpha-tocopherol, are approved for use as food additives in the US, Canada, and Japan and are officially recognized as safe antioxidants by the regulatory authorities of these countries.
Thus, E307 is one of the few additives that is both a vitamin and a functional ingredient. When usage limits are respected, it is considered safe in most countries worldwide.