Ascorbyl Palmitate
Last reviewed October 18, 2026 · Evidence strength: Very limited · How we grade evidence
In plain words: Ascorbyl palmitate is a fat-soluble form of vitamin C used to keep oils fresh. The worry about skin damage comes from skin creams under UV light, not food. In your body it breaks down into vitamin C and palmitic acid, a common fat. It's not a concern in what you eat.
Also listed on labels as: Ascorbyl palmitate, Vitamin C palmitate, E304
What is it, and why is it in food?
It's vitamin C joined to a fatty acid so it can protect oils from going stale. It's in oils, baking decorations, cookies, chips and some infant formulas.
What does the science say?
| The popular claim | "Ascorbyl palmitate is a toxic ingredient that causes oxidative skin damage." (Dr. Eric Berg; the cited concern is about skin under UV light) |
| Our verdict on that claim | Not supported |
| Evidence strength | Very limited: no evidence of harm from food; the concern is from skin creams under UV light. |
| Kinds of studies | EU safety reviews |
- In food: It fully breaks down into vitamin C and palmitic acid. EFSA found no safety concern.1
- Babies: EFSA's 2020 follow-up found its use in infant formula at maximum permitted levels doesn't raise health concerns.2
What do regulators say?
Who should be careful?
- No group needs to avoid it.
How common is it in US foods?
In our check of USDA's Branded Foods database, 547 of 438,129 US packaged foods with an ingredient list name ascorbyl palmitate (about 0.1%, or roughly 1 in 801).3 It shows up most often in: baking decorations & dessert toppings (111); cookies & biscuits (74); chips, pretzels & snacks (49); baby/infant foods/beverages (27); biscuits/cookies (26). These are label records companies sent to USDA, mostly in 2021 to 2023, so some products have changed since. Counts come from a text match of ingredient lists and are approximate.
Swaps and tips for families
- No swap needed.
Beyond the plate: related non-food exposures
Ascorbyl palmitate is common in skin creams. Whether it adds to sun-related skin damage there is a cosmetic question, separate from food.
Frequently asked questions
Is ascorbyl palmitate safe?
Yes. In food it breaks down into vitamin C and a common fat, and regulators found no concern.
Is ascorbyl palmitate vitamin C?
It's a form of vitamin C attached to a fat, so it works in oils.
Why is ascorbyl palmitate in baby formula?
It protects the formula's fats from going rancid. Europe found it safe for that use.
Related guides
Sources
Every source below was checked against PubMed, the publisher or the official page by our research team in October 2026.
- Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of ascorbyl palmitate (E 304(i)) and ascorbyl stearate (E 304(ii)) as food additives. EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority, 2015. PubMed 42169855 · doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2015.4289
- Opinion on the re-evaluation of ascorbyl palmitate (E 304i) as a food additive in foods for infants below 16 weeks of age and the follow-up of its re-evaluation as a food additive for uses in foods for all population groups. EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority, 2020. PubMed 32874329 · doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2020.6153
- FoodData Central, Branded Foods dataset (release 2026-04-30). U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 2026. Link
This guide is for general education. It is not medical advice and does not replace advice from your doctor, pediatrician, allergist or registered dietitian. If you think you or your child reacted to a food, talk to a health professional. Research changes; we review these pages when new evidence or rules come out. Last reviewed October 18, 2026. Spotted an error? Email [email protected].