YenzoWhat is E309 (delta-tocopherol)?
It is delta-tocopherol, a form of tocopherol of the vitamin E family, used as an antioxidant. According to EFSA, E309 is a synthetic form.
E309Delta-tocopherol
E309 is delta-tocopherol, a tocopherol from the vitamin E family. In food it is an antioxidant that helps oils and fats stay fresh for longer.
- Code
- E309 · INS 309
- Group
- Antioxidant
In VietnamNot on Vietnam's list of permitted additivesNot on Vietnam's list of permitted additives (Circular 24/2019); it may be used only in a product whose declaration is registered with the Vietnam Food Administration
Risk level on the Yenzo Scalevery low?Based on the Open Food Facts additives taxonomy
How E309 appears on labels
IngredientsIllustrative example
Wheat flour, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, antioxidant (309), dried onion and garlic, pepper, natural colour (160a).
antioxidant (309)antioxidant 309E309INS 309
Questions about delta-tocopherol
Is delta-tocopherol (vitamin E) harmful?
In 2015 EFSA re-evaluated tocopherol-rich extract (E306) and alpha-, gamma- and delta-tocopherol (E307–E309) and concluded that the available data were too limited to establish an ADI for the tocopherols. EFSA said the dataset on tocopherol-rich extract, gamma- and delta-tocopherol was too limited to be included in the safety assessment, and noted that much lower levels and fewer uses are reported for gamma- and delta-tocopherol than for alpha-tocopherol. EFSA concluded that tocopherols (E306–E309) are not of safety concern at the levels used in food.
Is INS 309 permitted in Vietnam?
No. Delta-tocopherol (INS 309) 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.
Can children and pregnant women have E309?
In the EU, delta-tocopherol (E309) is listed in Annex II, Part E, category 13.1 of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 for foods for infants and young children: in infant formulae (13.1.1) and follow-on formulae (13.1.2) with a maximum of 10, and in processed cereal-based foods and baby foods that contain fat (13.1.3) with a maximum of 100 (mg/l or mg/kg as appropriate to the product). E306, E307, E308 and E309 are authorised individually or in combination. The Regulation has no separate provision for pregnant women. If you have a particular health condition, ask a doctor.
Other antioxidants
E306Tocopherol-rich extractvery lowE307Alpha-tocopherolvery lowE308Gamma-tocopherolvery lowE310Propyl gallatelowE311Octyl gallatehighE312Dodecyl gallatehigh
See all antioxidants →Updated 21 October 2026
Sources (4)
- Open Food Facts additives taxonomy (Yenzo's table cites no EFSA opinion for this code). Open Food Facts additives taxonomy, https://github.com/openfoodfacts/openfoodfacts-server/blob/main/taxonomies/additives.txt (entry en:e309)
- Thông tư 24/2019/TT-BYT (văn bản hợp nhất 09/VBHN-BYT), Phụ lục 1
- EFSA Journal (2015). Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of tocopherol-rich extract (E 306), alpha-tocopherol (E 307), gamma-tocopherol (E 308) and delta-tocopherol (E 309) as food additives
- Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives (consolidated text of 18.08.2026): Annex II, Part E, category 13.1 (foods for infants and young children)