Foods Containing E285 (Sodium Tetraborate)
E285 (Sodium Tetraborate) is a mineral salt permitted only in caviar, used as a preservative to help prevent spoilage by stopping the growth of bacteria, moulds and yeasts. Here's where you're most likely to find it on food labels.
Common foods that contain E285
E285 is used across soft drinks, dried fruit, processed meats, sauces, baked goods and wine. The foods where it appears most often include:
- Soft drinks
- Dried fruit
- Processed meats
- Sauces
- Baked goods and wine
Exact usage varies by brand and recipe — the only way to know for certain whether a specific product contains E285 is to check its ingredients list, where it must be declared by law, either as "E285" or as "Sodium Tetraborate".
How to spot E285 on a label
In the UK and EU, additives must appear in the ingredients list with their function and either their E-number or full name — for example "preservatives: E285" or "preservatives: sodium tetraborate". In the US the E-number system isn't used, so look for the full name "Sodium Tetraborate" instead.
Should you avoid foods containing E285?
E285 is subject to significant restrictions. Its permitted uses in the EU are very limited, and most people will rarely encounter it. Where concerns exist, they relate to toxicity at higher intakes, which is why its use is tightly controlled.
Full guide to E285: safety, vegan and halal status →
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Additive data sourced from Open Food Facts (ODbL licence) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).