What it is
E300 is L-ascorbic acid, the chemical name for vitamin C. Industrially produced from corn glucose via the Reichstein or two-step fermentation process.
Why it matters
Antioxidant, acidity regulator, and nutritional fortifier. In nearly every fruit drink, processed meat product, and bread improver. Also widely used in cosmetics.
What to do
Always vegan. The related E301 sodium ascorbate, E302 calcium ascorbate, and E304 ascorbyl palmitate are all vegan in modern production.