E284 is boric acid. In the international INS numbering system it is classed as a preservative, but boric acid is not on the permitted-additive list of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT.
Did you know? According to EFSA in 2013, in the EU boric acid (E284) and sodium tetraborate (E285) are authorised as preservatives of sturgeon eggs (caviar), up to a maximum of 4 g boric acid/kg.
Wheat flour, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, preservative (284), dried onion and garlic, pepper, natural colour (160a).
It is boric acid. In the international INS numbering system, code 284 belongs to the preservatives. EFSA re-evaluated boric acid (E284) and sodium tetraborate (E285) as food additives; according to EFSA in 2013, both are authorised in the EU as preservatives of sturgeon eggs (caviar).
In 2013 EFSA re-evaluated boric acid (E284) and sodium tetraborate (borax, E285) as food additives and set a group ADI of 0.16 mg boron/kg body weight a day, based on a NOAEL of 9.6 mg boron/kg bw/day from a developmental study in rats and an uncertainty factor of 60. According to EFSA, exposure to boron from use as a food additive at the highest level is 0.04 mg/kg bw/day for children and 0.01 mg/kg for adolescents, adults and the elderly. EFSA concluded that it is unlikely that a regular exceedance of the ADI occurs.
No. Boric acid (INS 284) is not listed in Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT (consolidated text 09/VBHN-BYT), the list of additives permitted in food, nor in Appendix 2B.
In its summary EFSA (2013) estimated boron intake from the use of boric acid as a food additive in children at 0.04 mg/kg body weight a day at the maximum use level, and 0.56 mg/kg body weight a day for high consumers (95th percentile, consumers only). The group ADI is 0.16 mg boron/kg body weight a day. EFSA concluded that a regular exceedance of the ADI is unlikely. The summary does not mention pregnant women separately. If you have a particular health condition, ask a doctor.
Updated 21 October 2026
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