Thiodipropionic acid
Function: Antioxidant
E388 is the European food-additive number for Thiodipropionic acid, an antioxidant — used to stop fats and oils going rancid and to protect colour. Thiodipropionic acid (E388) is an antioxidant used as a food additive.
What is E388 used for?
Thiodipropionic acid (E388) is an antioxidant — used to stop fats and oils going rancid and to protect colour. It is added during food production for a technological purpose rather than for nutrition. See all antioxidants (E-numbers).
Is E388 safe or restricted?
E388 is an approved food additive in the EU and currently carries no special regulatory restrictions in the EU additive register. Forkin classifies it as “No regulatory flags” and does not make health claims. See the methodology for how regulatory levels are assigned, or the guide to how EU additives are approved, re-evaluated and banned.
Is E388 vegan or vegetarian?
Thiodipropionic acid (E388) is typically produced from plant, mineral, or synthetic sources, so it is generally suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
The production source can vary between manufacturers — the Forkin app shows the verified vegan and vegetarian status per product. Always read the label for allergens.
Frequently asked questions about E388
- What is E388?
- E388 is the E-number for Thiodipropionic acid, an antioxidant — used to stop fats and oils going rancid and to protect colour. Thiodipropionic acid (E388) is an antioxidant used as a food additive.
- What is E388 used for?
- Thiodipropionic acid (E388) is an antioxidant — used to stop fats and oils going rancid and to protect colour. Manufacturers add it during processing rather than for nutrition. The Forkin app shows which products in your scan history actually contain it.
- Is E388 vegan or vegetarian?
- Thiodipropionic acid (E388) is typically produced from plant, mineral, or synthetic sources, so it is generally suitable for vegans and vegetarians. The Forkin app shows the verified vegan and vegetarian status per product, since the source can vary between manufacturers.
- Is E388 safe, and is it banned anywhere?
- E388 is an approved food additive in the EU and currently carries no special regulatory restrictions in the EU additive register. Forkin classifies it as "No regulatory flags" and does not make health claims — see the methodology page for how regulatory levels are assigned, and the Forkin app for the full profile, including acceptable daily intake (ADI) and restrictions by country.
See the full profile in Forkin
The Forkin app surfaces the full regulatory profile of E388 — acceptable daily intake (ADI), restrictions by country, vegan/vegetarian status, alternative names, and which products in your scan history contain it. See view pricing.