E304 covers the fatty acid esters of ascorbic acid: ascorbyl palmitate (E304i) and ascorbyl stearate (E304ii). In food they are antioxidants, used in foods that contain fat.
Did you know? Ascorbyl palmitate is assumed to be hydrolysed in the body to ascorbic acid and palmitate; according to EFSA, palmitate provides approximately 25% of all fatty acids in breast milk.
Wheat flour, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, antioxidant (304), dried onion and garlic, pepper, natural colour (160a).
Sources: Codex CXG 36-1989, Class Names and the International Numbering System (INS)
They are esters of ascorbic acid with fatty acids: ascorbyl palmitate (E304i) and ascorbyl stearate (E304ii). Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT lists ascorbyl palmitate as INS 304 and ascorbyl stearate as INS 305, with the function antioxidant.
In 2015 EFSA re-evaluated ascorbyl palmitate (E304i) and ascorbyl stearate (E304ii) and concluded that the available data were too limited to establish an ADI. EFSA estimated exposure at the maximum level at 0.4 to 10.8 mg/kg body weight a day across all population groups, and concluded that at the reported uses and use levels there is no safety concern.
Yes. Ascorbyl palmitate (INS 304) is listed in Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, the list of additives permitted in food, with the function antioxidant. That list gives ascorbyl stearate under INS 305.
In 2020 EFSA assessed ascorbyl palmitate (E304i) in foods for infants below 16 weeks of age and concluded that the intake of both metabolites (ascorbic acid and palmitate), at the maximum permitted levels in infant formula and in food for special medical purposes, does not raise health concerns. The text does not mention pregnant women separately.
Updated 21 October 2026
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