Additives permitted in chocolate and cocoa products under Vietnam's Circular 24/2019

Chocolate bars, cocoa powder and cocoa spreads share five groups, from 05.1.1 to 05.1.5, in Annex 2A^[2]; the additives below are what Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT permits there, and the real recipe of a chocolate bar is on its label.

What's actually on the label

Socola Bọc Hạt Cà Phê Choice L Hộp 150gE904 E322 E476^[6]✓ Every code is permitted in Vietnam (Circular 24/2019)
Socola Bọc Hạt Hạnh Nhân Choice L Hộp 150gE414 E904 E322 E476^[7]✓ Every code is permitted in Vietnam (Circular 24/2019)

List under Appendix 2A, Circular 24/2019

Risk level on the Yenzo Scale, not the Circular's.

Moderate risk

3 of 25

E160fEthyl ester of beta-apo-8'-carotenoic acid E554Sodium aluminium silicate E952Cyclamates

Low risk

19 of 25

E155Brown HT E160eBeta-apo-8'-carotenal E338Phosphoric acid E339Sodium phosphates E340Potassium phosphates E341Calcium phosphates E343Magnesium phosphates E412Guar gum E473Sucrose esters of fatty acids E476Polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR)E491Sorbitan monostearate E492Sorbitan tristearate E493Sorbitan monolaurate E954Saccharin E955Sucralose E961Neotame E962Salt of aspartame-acesulfame E1503Castor oil E1520Propane-1,2-diol (propylene glycol)

Very low risk

3 of 25

E160aCarotenes E334Tartaric acid (L(+)-)E904Shellac

About this list

The five groups are “cocoa mixes (powder)”, “cocoa mixes (syrup)”, “cocoa-based spreads”, “cocoa and chocolate products” and “chocolate-like products”. Polyglycerol esters (E476) are emulsifiers, with a footnote on the combined total when used with other emulsifiers^[3]. Shellac (E904) is a glazing agent, marked “surface treatment of the product”^[4]. Labels write the group name plus a number. A glazing agent, per Codex, is applied to the surface to give shine or a protective layer^[5].

The list comes from the “found in” section of each additive's page: the food groups of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, Appendix 2A (maximum levels of additives in food). Being listed means the additive is permitted there, not that every product contains it.

Related additive categories

Emulsifiers

Sources

Updated: 22 October 2026

Information only, not medical advice. The risk level is the additive's class in Yenzo's open scoring method, based on the cited source.