Ascorbic acid is a naturally occurring organic compound with antioxidant properties and is a form of vitamin C.

It is widely used in the food industry, as an antioxidant in the brewing, wine and cider industries, as a preservative in the meat industry where it helps maintain colour, as an improving agent in the baking industry and also for inhibiting discolouration in cut fruits, fruit pulp and fruit juices.

In addition it can also be found in butter, frozen egg products, powdered and concentrated milk and baby foods, and can also be added to products that may lose their vitamin C during processing.

E number E300