What is dl-alpha-Tocopherol used for in food?

It is listed as an antioxidant — the role Codex assigns it. This page shows every function each regulator records, with the citation for each.

Where is dl-alpha-Tocopherol permitted?

Of the seven regulators this site reads, Australia and New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and the Codex standard permit it. Each permission is for named foods at named levels, not a blanket one; the table on this page gives them with citations.

Is dl-alpha-Tocopherol vegan?

Yes. dl-alpha-Tocopherol is not derived from animals, and is suitable for vegetarians. This page says what it is made from and how.

dl-alpha-Tocopherol

INS 307cCAS 10191-41-0

Listed as an antioxidant by Codex.

Listed as antioxidants (Codex)

Codex Alimentarius: Antioxidant — CXS 192-1995 Table One, INS 307c

Structure from PubChem CID 2116 (National Library of Medicine, public domain). A depiction of one compound: where a listing covers a family, or a substance has no single structure, this page shows none.

DL-alpha-tocopherol is synthetic vitamin E, used both as a nutrient and as an antioxidant to stop fats going rancid.

Where it is and isn’t permitted

Status of dl-alpha-Tocopherol by jurisdiction. Every jurisdiction this site covers is listed, including those where the substance does not appear.
Jurisdiction	Status	Scope and limits	Citation
Australia and New ZealandFood Standards Australia New Zealand	Permitted, with conditions	4 food categories highest permitted level 30 mg/L Show every food category 0 Preparations of food additives — GMP 13.1 Infant formula products — 10 mg/LApplies in Australia; New Zealand has not adopted Standard 2.9.1 (infant formula products) and applies its own infant formula standard. 13.1 Infant formula products — 30 mg/LNote 1: For additives 300, 301, 302, 304, 307b, 307c, 440—the additive may only be used in follow-on formula products. Applies in Australia; New Zealand has not adopted Standard 2.9.1 (infant formula products) and applies its own infant formula standard. 2 Edible oils and oil emulsions — GMP	Food Standards Code, Schedule 15, S15—5and 3 further provisionsretrieved 2026-10-17
CanadaHealth Canada	No listing matchedHealth Canada’s lists name additives without E or INS numbers, so this site matches them by exact name. A substance listed there under a name this site does not recognise has no row here.
European UnionEuropean Commission / EFSA	No listed food uses foundThis site has not matched this substance to any food use on this jurisdiction’s list of authorised food additives. A food additive may be used only in foods that list names. Flavourings, enzymes, processing aids and added nutrients are regulated separately and do not appear on it.
Great BritainFood Standards Agency / Food Standards Scotland	No listed food uses foundThis site has not matched this substance to any food use on this jurisdiction’s list of authorised food additives. A food additive may be used only in foods that list names. Flavourings, enzymes, processing aids and added nutrients are regulated separately and do not appear on it.
JapanConsumer Affairs Agency	Permitted, with conditions	Designated additive: Appended Table 1, item 277, ｄｌ―α―トコフェロール (“dl-alpha-Tocopherol” in the unofficial English translation). … Designated additive: Appended Table 1, item 277, ｄｌ―α―トコフェロール (“dl-alpha-Tocopherol” in the unofficial English translation). Standards for use — Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, etc. (MHW Notification No. 370 of 1959), Part II (Food Additives), F (Standards for use), entry dl―α―トコフェロール: (1) [may be used only for the purposes stated; states an exception to the preceding sentence] “dl―α―トコフェロールは、酸化防止の目的以外に使用してはならない。ただし、β―カロテン、ビタミンA、ビタミンA脂肪酸エステル及び流動パラフィンの製剤中に含まれる場合は、この限りでない。” The Japanese is the standard as published. There is no official English translation of the Notification; the English in square brackets is this site’s description of what each sentence does, not a translation of the foods or the levels. Compositional specifications for this additive, in the same Notification, are not imported and are not shown here; nor are the general rules in F 添加物一般, which apply to every additive.	Regulations for Enforcement of the Food Sanitation Act (MHW Ordinance No. 23 of 1948), Appended Table 1retrieved 2026-10-18
South KoreaMinistry of Food and Drug Safety	Permitted, with conditions	Designated food additive: Standards and Specifications for Food Additives, Part III, 1. … Designated food additive: Standards and Specifications for Food Additives, Part III, 1. 일반식품첨가물 (general food additives), 비타민E (“dl-α-Tocopherol”, the English the Code prints beside it); the Code marks it as also usable as a nutrient fortifier; 3. 영양강화제 (nutrient fortifiers), 비타민E; nutrient: 비타민E; the Code marks it as also usable as a general food additive. Main use (주용도) of 비타민E: 산화방지제. Standard for use (사용기준) of 비타민E: (1) [to be used under the general standard for use in II. 2. 1), the minimum amount that achieves the technical effect, with no limit set for this additive in particular] “II. 2. 1)의 규정에 따라 사용하여야 한다.” The Korean is the standard as published. There is no official English translation of the current Code (the English version on MFDS’s website is the 2020 edition and has no legal effect); the English in square brackets is this site’s description of what each sentence does, not a translation of the foods or the levels. Compositional specifications (Part IV) are not imported, nor are the general standards in Part II, which apply to every additive.	Standards and Specifications for Food Additives (식품첨가물의 기준 및 규격), MFDS Notification, Part III (Standards for use, by item)retrieved 2026-10-18
United StatesFood and Drug Administration	Not listedDoes not appear on this jurisdiction’s permitted list. That is not the same as being prohibited.
Codex AlimentariusCodex Alimentarius Commission / JECFA	Permitted, with conditions	67 food categories highest permitted level 5,000 mg/kg Show every food category and its notes 01.1.2 Other Fluid Milk (plain) — 200 mg/kg Note 410 Excluding lactose reduced milks. 01.1.4 Flavoured Fluid Milk Drinks — 200 mg/kg Note 15 On the fat or oil basis. Note XS243 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Fermented Milks (CXS 243-2003). 01.3.2 Beverage whiteners — 200 mg/kg Note XS250 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for a Blend of Evaporated Skimmed Milk and Vegetable Fat (CODEX STAN 250-2006). Note XS252 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for a Blend of Sweetened Condensed Skimmed Milk and Vegetable Fat (CODEX STAN 252-2006). 01.4.4 Cream analogues — 200 mg/kg 01.6.1 Unripened cheese — 200 mg/kg Note 168 Singly or in combination: d-alpha-tocopherol (INS 307a), tocopherol concentrate, mixed (INS 307b) and dl-alpha-tocopherol (INS 307c). Note 351 Only for use in products conforming to the Standard for Cream Cheese (CODEX STAN 275-1973). Note XS221 Excluding products conforming to the Group Standard for Unripened Cheese including Fresh Cheese (CXS 221-2001). Note XS262 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Mozzarella (CODEX STAN 262-2006). Note XS273 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Cottage Cheese (CXS 273-1968). 01.6.2.3 Cheese powder (for reconstitution; e.g. for cheese sauces) — 300 mg/kg 01.6.4 Processed cheese — 200 mg/kg 01.6.5 Cheese analogues — 400 mg/kg 01.7 Dairy-based desserts (e.g. pudding, fruit or flavoured yoghurt) — 500 mg/kg Note XS243 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Fermented Milks (CXS 243-2003). 01.8 Whey and whey products, excluding whey cheeses — 200 mg/kg Note XS331 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Dairy Permeate Powders (CXS 331-2017). 02.1.1 Butter oil, anhydrous milkfat, ghee — 500 mg/kg Note 171 Excluding anhydrous milkfat. Note 513 Except for use in products conforming to the Standard for Edible Fats and Oils not Covered by Individual Standards (CXS 19-1981) at 300 mg/kg. 02.1.2 Vegetable oils and fats — 300 mg/kg Note 357 Except for use in refined olive oil, olive oil, refined olive-pomace oil and olive-pomace oil at 200 mg/kg to restore natural tocopherol lost in production. Note 511 Excluding virgin and cold pressed oils in products conforming to the Standard for Edible Fats and Oils not Covered by Individual Standards (CXS 19-1981) and the Standard for Named Vegetable Oils (CXS 210-1999). Note XS325R Excluding products conforming to the Regional Standard for Unrefined Shea Butter (CXS 325R-2017). 02.1.3 Lard, tallow, fish oil, and other animal fats — 300 mg/kg Note 527 Except for use in products conforming to the Standards for Fish Oils (CXS 329-2017), singly or in combination at 6000 mg/kg. 02.2.2 Fat spreads, dairy fat spreads and blended spreads — 500 mg/kg 02.3 Fat emulsions mainly of type oil-in-water, including mixed and/or flavoured products based on fat emulsions — 900 mg/kg 02.4 Fat-based desserts excluding dairy-based dessert products of food category 01.7 — 200 mg/kg 03.0 Edible ices, including sherbet and sorbet — 500 mg/kg Note 15 On the fat or oil basis. 04.1.2.11 Fruit fillings for pastries — 150 mg/kg 04.1.2.2 Dried fruit — 200 mg/kg Note 175 Excluding dried apricots, dates, raisins, dried longans and dried persimmons conforming to the General Standard for Dried Fruits (CXS 360-2020). 04.1.2.6 Fruit-based spreads (e.g. chutney) excluding products of food category — 200 mg/kg Note XS160 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Mango Chutney (CODEX STAN 160-1987). 04.1.2.8 Fruit preparations, including pulp, purees, fruit toppings and coconut milk — 150 mg/kg Note XS240 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Aqueous Coconut Products (CODEX STAN 240-2003). Note XS314R Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Date Paste (CODEX STAN 314R-2013). 04.1.2.9 Fruit-based desserts, incl. fruit-flavoured water-based desserts — 500 mg/kg Note 15 On the fat or oil basis. 04.2.2.2 Dried vegetables (including mushrooms and fungi, roots and tubers, pulses and legumes, and aloe vera), seaweeds, and nuts and seeds — 200 mg/kg Note 613 Except for products conforming to the Regional Standard for Laver Products (CXS 323R-2017), only for use in Seasoned Laver Products. Note XS38 Excluding products conforming to the General Standard for Edible Fungi and Fungus Products (CODEX STAN 38-1981). Note XS336R Excluding products conforming to the Regional Standard for kava products for use as a beverage when mixed with water (North America and South West Pacific) (CXS 336R-2020). 04.2.2.5 Vegetable (including mushrooms and fungi, roots and tubers, pulses and legumes, and aloe vera), seaweed, and nut and seed purees and spreads (e.g. peanut butter) — 300 mg/kg Note XS57 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Processed Tomato Concentrates (CODEX STAN 57-1981). 05.1.2 Cocoa mixes (syrups) — 500 mg/kg Note 15 On the fat or oil basis. 05.1.3 Cocoa-based spreads, incl. fillings — 100 mg/kg Note 15 On the fat or oil basis. Note XS86 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Cocoa Butter (CODEX STAN 86-1981). 05.1.4 Cocoa and chocolate products — 750 mg/kg Note 15 On the fat or oil basis. Note 168 Singly or in combination: d-alpha-tocopherol (INS 307a), tocopherol concentrate, mixed (INS 307b) and dl-alpha-tocopherol (INS 307c). 05.1.5 Imitation chocolate, chocolate substitute products — 500 mg/kg Note 15 On the fat or oil basis. 05.2 Confectionery including hard and soft candy, nougats, etc. other than food categories 05.1, 05.3, and 05.4 — 500 mg/kg Note 15 On the fat or oil basis. Note XS309R Excluding products conforming to the Codex Regional Standard for Halawa Tehenia (CODEX STAN 309R-211). 05.3 Chewing gum — 1,500 mg/kg 05.4 Decorations (e.g. for fine bakery wares), toppings (non-fruit), and sweet sauces — 500 mg/kg Note 15 On the fat or oil basis. 06.2.1 Flours — 5,000 mg/kg Note 15 On the fat or oil basis. Note 186 For use in flours with additives only. Note XS152 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Wheat Flour (CXS 152-1985). Note XS301R Excluding products conforming to the Regional Standard for Edible Sago Flour (Asia) (CXS 301R-2011). 06.3 Breakfast cereals, including rolled oats — 200 mg/kg 06.4.2 Dried pastas and noodles and like products — 500 mg/kg Note 211 For use in noodles only. 06.4.3 Pre-cooked pastas and noodles and like products — 200 mg/kg Note 211 For use in noodles only. Note XS364R Excluding use in products conforming to the Regional standard for quick-frozen dumplings (CXS 364R-2026). 06.5 Cereal and starch based desserts (e.g. rice pudding, tapioca pudding) — 500 mg/kg Note 15 On the fat or oil basis. 06.6 Batters (e.g. for breading or batters for fish or poultry) — 100 mg/kg 06.8.1 Soybean-based beverages — 200 mg/kg Note 643 For use only in composite/ flavoured soybean beverages and soybean-based beverages conforming to the Regional Standard for Non-Fermented Soybean Products (Asia) (CXS 322R-2015). 07.1.2 Crackers, excluding sweet crackers — 200 mg/kg 07.1.6 Mixes for bread and ordinary bakery wares — 100 mg/kg 07.2.1 Cakes, cookies and pies (e.g. fruit-filled or custard types) — 200 mg/kg Note 389 Except for use at 500 mg/kg in products containing nut paste 07.2.2 Other fine bakery products (e.g. doughnuts, sweet rolls, scones, and muffins) — 200 mg/kg 07.2.3 Mixes for fine bakery wares (e.g. cakes, pancakes) — 200 mg/kg Note 11 On the flour basis. 08.1.2 Fresh meat, poultry and game, comminuted — 300 mg/kg Note 15 On the fat or oil basis. Note 281 For use in fresh minced meat which contains other ingredients apart from comminuted meat only. 08.2 Processed meat, poultry, and game products in whole pieces or cuts — 500 mg/kg Note XS96 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Cooked Cured Ham (CODEX STAN 96-1981). Note XS97 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Cooked Cured Pork Shoulder (CODEX STAN 97-1981). 08.3 Processed comminuted meat, poultry, and game products — 500 mg/kg Note XS88 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Corned Beef (CODEX STAN 88-1981). Note XS89 Excluding products conforming to Standard for Luncheon Meat (CODEX STAN 89-1981). Note XS98 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Cooked Cured Chopped Meat (CODEX STAN 98-1981). 08.4 Edible casings (e.g. sausage casings) — 5,000 mg/kg Note 365 On a casings basis. 09.2.2 Frozen battered fish, fish fillets and fish products, including molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms — 200 mg/kg Note 15 On the fat or oil basis. Note XS166 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Quick Frozen Fish Sticks (Fish Fingers), Fish Portions and Fish Fillets – Breaded or in Batter (CODEX STAN 166-1989). 10.4 Egg-based desserts (e.g. custard) — 500 mg/kg Note 72 On the ready-to-eat basis. 12.2 Herbs, spices, seasonings, and condiments (e.g. seasoning for instant noodles) — 2,000 mg/kg Note 421 For use in pastes and condiment products containing plant-derived oils only. Note XS326 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Black, White and Green Peppers (CODEX STAN 326-2017). Note XS327 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Cumin (CODEX STAN 327-2017). Note XS328 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Dried Thyme (CODEX STAN 328-2017). Note XS342 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Dried Oregano (CXS 342-2021). Note XS343 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for dried roots, rhizomes and bulbs: Dried or dehydrated ginger (CXS 343-2021). Note XS344 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for dried floral parts: Cloves (CXS 344-2021). Note XS345 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Dried Basil (CXS 345-2021). Note XS347 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for dried or dehydrated garlic (CXS 347-2019). Note XS351 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Dried Floral Parts - Saffron (CXS 351-2022). Note XS352 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Dried Seeds – Nutmeg (CXS 352-2022). Note XS353 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Dried or Dehydrated Chilli Pepper and Paprika (CXS 353-2022). 12.4 Mustards — 200 mg/kg 12.5 Soups and broths — 50 mg/kg Note 346 For use in products conforming to the Codex Standard for Bouillons and Consommés (CODEX STAN 117-1981), singly or in combination: d-alpha-tocopherol (INS 307a), tocopherol concentrate, mixed (INS 307b), and dl-alpha-tocopherol (INS 307c) at 50 mg/kg. 12.6.1 Emulsified sauces and dips (e.g. mayonnaise, salad dressing, onion dips) — 600 mg/kg 12.6.2 Non-emulsified sauces (e.g. ketchup, cheese sauce, cream sauce, brown gravy) — 600 mg/kg 12.6.3 Mixes for sauces and gravies — 300 mg/kg Note 127 On the served to the consumer basis. 13.1.1 Infant formulae — 10 mg/kg Note 416 Tocopherol concentrate, mixed (INS 307b) only. Note 551 Maximum use level is expressed as mg additive/L of food. 13.1.2 Follow-up formulae — 30 mg/kg Note 551 Maximum use level is expressed as mg additive/L of food. 13.1.3 Formulae for special medical purposes for infants — 10 mg/kg Note 416 Tocopherol concentrate, mixed (INS 307b) only. Note 551 Maximum use level is expressed as mg additive/L of food. 13.2 Complementary foods for infants and young children — 300 mg/kg Note 15 On the fat or oil basis. 13.3 Dietetic foods intended for special medical purposes (excluding products of food category 13.1) — 30 mg/kg Note 553 For use of Tocopherol concentrate, mixed (INS 307b) only in products conforming to the Guidelines for Ready to Use Therapeutic Foods (CXG 95-2022) at 10 mg/kg. 13.4 Dietetic formulae for slimming purposes and weight reduction — 300 mg/kg 13.5 Dietetic foods (e.g. supplementary foods for dietary use) excluding products of food categories — 300 mg/kg 13.6 Food supplements — 2,000 mg/kg Note 418 Except for use at 6,000 mg/kg, singly or in combination, on the basis of fish oils. 14.1.4 Water-based flavoured drinks, including "sport," “energy,” or "electrolyte" drinks and particulated drinks — 200 mg/kg Note 434 Carry-over from use as an antioxidant in flavours, colours, juice ingredients and nutrient preparations. 14.2.7 Aromatized alcoholic beverages (e.g. beer, wine and spirituous cooler-type beverages, low-alcoholic refreshers) — 5 mg/kg 15.1 Snacks - potato, cereal, flour or starch based (from roots and tubers, pulses and legumes) — 200 mg/kg 15.2 Processed nuts, including coated nuts and nut mixtures (with e.g. dried fruit) — 200 mg/kg	CXS 192-1995 Table One, INS 307cand 66 further provisionsretrieved 2026-09-07

How much is permitted

A listing usually limits the quantity as well as the food. Only one of the forms that takes is a figure: quantum satis and good manufacturing practice permit the amount the technological effect requires and no more, which is a limit rather than the absence of one. Figures below are the range across every food category this page is listed in, and categories differ between regulators — see how much is permitted.

Australia and New Zealand	10 mg/kg – 30 mg/kg	2 numeric limit, 2 GMP
Japan	—	1 no quantity stated
South Korea	—	1 no quantity stated
Codex Alimentarius	5 mg/kg – 5,000 mg/kg	67 numeric limit

What it is made from

Produced by chemical synthesis, giving a mixture of forms. The natural D form from vegetable oil is more biologically active, which is why the two are dosed differently.

Vegan
Vegetarian

Compare other additives on the dietary indexes.

CAS registry number: 10191-41-0
InChIKey: GVJHHUAWPYXKBD-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PubChem: CID 2116

How JECFA defines it

The international specification for identity and purity, prepared by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives and published by FAO. It is a different document from any above, written by a different body and revised on its own cycle; it is advisory, and a country adopts it or does not.

INS 307c dl-alpha-Tocopherol

Synonyms: Vitamin E; INS No. 307c

Assay, identification and purity criteria

Description and assay

Specification history: dl- α -TOCOPHEROL Prepared at the 30th JECFA (1986), published in FNP 37 (1986) and in FNP 52 (1992). Metals and arsenic specifications revised at the 61st JECFA (2003). A group ADI of 0.15-2 mg/kg bw for dl- α -tocopherol and d- α -tocopherol, concentrate, singly or in combination, was established at the 30th JECFA (1986).
Chemical names: dl-5,7,8-Trimethyltocol, dl-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-2-(4',8',12'- trimethyltridecyl)- 6-chromanol
C.A.S. number: No single definite C.A.S. number is for this substance. No. 59-02-9 is for vitamin E, 1406-18-4 is for alpha-tocopherol, 2074-53-5 is for all-rac-alpha-tocopherol, and 10191-40-0 is for racemic-alpha-tocopherol synthesized from natural phytol or its derivative.
Chemical formula: C29H50O2
Formula weight: 430.71
Assay: Not less than 96% and not more than 102%
DESCRIPTION: Slightly yellow to amber, nearly odourless, clear, viscous oil (It oxidizes and darkens in air and on exposure to light.)
FUNCTIONAL USES: Antioxidant
METHOD OF ASSAY: Gas Liquid Chromatographic Method Reagents and solutions Internal Standard Solution: Prepare a solution in n-hexane containing a 3 mg of hexadecyl hexadecanoate, accurately weighed, in each ml. Standard Preparation: dissolve about 30 mg of USP Alpha Tocopherol Reference Standard, accurately weighed, in 10.0 ml of the Internal Standard Solution. Assay Preparation: dissolve about 30 g of the sample accurately weighed, in 10.0 ml of the International Standard Solution. Chromatographic System Use a gas chromatograph equipped with a flame-ionization detector and a glass-lined sample- introduction system or on-column injection. Under typical conditions, the instrument contains a 2-m x 4-mm boro-silicate glass column packed with 2% methylpolysiloxane gum on 80- to 100-mesh acid-base washed silinized chromatographic diatomaceous earth. The column is maintained isothermally between 240 o and 260 o , the injection port at about 290 o , and the detector block at about 300 o . The flow rate of dry carrier gas is adjusted to obtain a hexadecyl hexadecanoate peak approximately 18 to 20 min after sample introduction when a 2% column is used, or 30 to 32 min when a 5% column is used. (NOTE: Cure and condition the column as necessary). System Suitability Chromatograph a sufficient number of injections of a mixture in n-hexane of 1 mg per ml each of USP Alpha Tocopherol Reference Standard and USP Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate Reference Standard, as directed under Calibration, to assure that the resolution factor, R, is not less than 1.0. Calibration Chromatograph successive 2- to 5-μl portions of the Standard Preparation until the relative response factor, F, is constant (i.e., within a range of approximately 2%) for three consecutive injections. If graphic integration is used, adjust the instrument to obtain at least 70% maximum recorder response for the hexadecyl hexadecanoate peak. Measure the areas under the major peaks occurring at relative retention times of approximately 0.51 (alpha-tocopherol) and 1.00 (hexadecyl hexadecanoate), and record the values as As and A1, respectively. Calculate the relative response factor, F, by the formula (As/A1) x (C1/Cs), in which C1 and Cs are the exact concentrations, in mg per ml, of hexadecyl hexadecanoate and of USP Alpha Tocopherol Reference Standard in the Standard Preparation, respectively. Procedure Inject a suitable portion (2 to 5 μl) of the Assay Preparation into the chromatograph, and record the chromatogram. Measure the areas under the major peaks occurring at relative retention times of approximately 0.51 (alpha-tocopherol) and 1.00 (hexadecyl hexadecanoate), and record the values as au and a1, respectively. Calculate the weight, in mg, of dl-alpha-tocopherol in the sample by the formula (10C1/F) x (au/a1).

Identification

Solubility (Vol. 4): Insoluble in water, freely soluble in ethanol, miscible with ether
Specific rotation (Vol. 4): [alpha] 20, D: 0±0.05 o (1 in 10 soln in chloroform)
Spectrophotometry (Vol. 4): In absolute ethanol the maximum absorption is about 292 nm
Colour reaction: Dissolve about 0.01 g of the sample in 10 ml of absolute ethanol. Add, with swirling, 2 ml of nitric acid and heat at about 75 o for 15 min. A bright red to orange colour develops

Purity criteria

Refractive index: n (20, D): 1.503 - 1.507
Spectrophotometry (Vol. 4): E (1%, 1 cm) (292 nm): 71-76 (0.01 g in 200 ml of absolute ethanol)
Sulfated ash (Vol. 4): Not more than 0.1% Test 1 g of the sample (Method II)
Acidity: Dissolve 1 g of the sample in 25 ml of a mixture of equal volumes of ethanol and ether that has been neutralized to phenolphthalein TS with 0.1 N sodium hydroxide, add 0.5 ml of phenolphthalein TS, and titrate with 0.1 N sodium hydroxide until the solution remains faintly pink after shaking for 30 sec. Not more than 1.0 ml of 0.1 N sodium hydroxide is required.
Lead (Vol. 4): Not more than 2 mg/kg Determine using an atomic absorption technique appropriate to the specified level. The selection of sample size and method of sample preparation may be based on the principles of the method described in Volume 4, “Instrumental Methods.”

FAO JECFA Monograph 1 (2006)

Every name it appears under

61 recorded names. A label may use any of them.

INS number

307c

CAS registry number

10191-41-0
113085-06-6

Other names

(+/-)-alpha-Tocopherol
(.+/-.)-.alpha.-Tocopherol
(2R,8'R)-.alpha.-Tocopherol
(2S, 4'R, 8'S)-alpha-Tocopherol
(2S, 4'S, 8'R)-alpha-Tocopherol
(2S, 4'S, 8'S)-alpha-Tocopherol
.alpha.-Tocopherol
.Alpha.-tocopherol, DL-
2,5,7,8-Tetramethyl-2-(4',8',12'-trimethyltridecyl)-6-chromanol
2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethyltridecyl)-3,4-dihydrochromen-6-ol
3,4-Dihydro-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethyltridecyl)-2H-benzopyran-6-ol
3,4Dihydro2,5,7,8tetramethyl2(4,8,12trimethyltridecyl)2Hbenzopyran6ol
5-17-04-00168 (Beilstein Handbook Reference)
6-Chromanol, 2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethyltridecyl)-
6Chromanol, 2,5,7,8tetramethyl2(4,8,12trimethyltridecyl)
7QWA1RIO01
a-Tocopherol
all-rac-alpha-Tocopherol
all-rac-alpha-Tocopherol (Vitamin E)
allracalphaTocopherol
Almefrol
alpha-tochopherol
alpha-Tocopherol, DL-
ALPHA-TOCOPHEROL, DL-(II)
alphaTocopherol, DL
Antisterility vitamin
Aquasol E
BRN 0094012
CCRIS 5853
dl-.alpha.-Tocopherol
DL-5,7,8-trimethyltocol
dl-?-Tocopherol
dl-a-Tocopherol
DL-alpha tocopherol
dl-alpha-Tocopherol
DL-alpha-Tocopherol (Standard)
DL-alpha-Tocopherol (Vitamin E)
dl-|A-tocopherol
DLallracalphaTocopherol
DLalphaTocopherol
Ephanyl
Evitaminum
HSDB 8261
INS NO.307C
INS-307C
IRGANOX E 210
Profecundin
RAC-.ALPHA.-TOCOPHEROL
rac-alpha-tocopherol
RONOTEC DF 120
Syntopherol
Tocopheroxy radical
UVINUL 2000AO
Vita E
Vitamin E DL-alpha
Waynecomycin

Systematic names

2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethyltridecyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-1-benzopyran-6-ol
2H-1-Benzopyran-6-ol, 3,4-dihydro-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethyltridecyl)-

Hazard reference values

Values set by assessing bodies. A body that has not set a value is not listed here.
Type	Value	Population	Assessed by	Opinion
ADI	0.15–2 mg/kg bw/day	—	JECFA	1986

Evidence and how bodies read it

What assessing bodies concluded

Each conclusion is paraphrased in the body's own framing, from the published opinion linked beneath it. Where bodies differ, both stand; this site does not adjudicate between them or add a view of its own.

EFSA 2015
The ANS Panel considered the data too limited to establish an ADI for the tocopherols (E 306–E 309), and found no concern for genotoxicity or carcinogenicity. Taking into account that vitamin E is an essential nutrient and upper intake levels were not generally exceeded, it concluded that tocopherols are not of safety concern at the levels used in food.
Source document

Common questions

Assembled from what is above, in the words the questions are usually asked in. Each answer is the same statement the relevant section makes, with the same citations behind it.

What is INS 307c?: INS 307c is dl-alpha-Tocopherol. DL-alpha-tocopherol is synthetic vitamin E, used both as a nutrient and as an antioxidant to stop fats going rancid.
What is dl-alpha-Tocopherol used for in food?: It is listed as an antioxidant — the role Codex assigns it. This page shows every function each regulator records, with the citation for each.
Where is dl-alpha-Tocopherol permitted?: Of the seven regulators this site reads, Australia and New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and the Codex standard permit it. Each permission is for named foods at named levels, not a blanket one; the table on this page gives them with citations.
Is dl-alpha-Tocopherol vegan?: Yes. dl-alpha-Tocopherol is not derived from animals, and is suitable for vegetarians. This page says what it is made from and how.

Sources for this page

anz retrieved 2026-10-17
jp retrieved 2026-10-18
kr retrieved 2026-10-18
gsfa retrieved 2026-09-07
jecfaspecs retrieved 2026-09-23

Full licence terms and publisher details on Sources. How this page is built and updated: Method.

Machine-readable: a JSON record of this additive is given on request —how to ask for access.

Follow changes to dl-alpha-Tocopherol:Atom feed — regulatory events, and any change the weekly refresh detects in its provisions.