Food additive databaseantioxidantChecked 2026-10-02

dl-α-Tocopherol dl－α－トコフェロール

Designated additivePermitted in the EU (E307)

Purpose: antioxidant
On the label: “酸化防止剤（ビタミンE）” (antioxidant (vitamin E)), “酸化防止剤（V.E）” (antioxidant (vitamin E)), “酸化防止剤（トコフェロール）” (antioxidant (tocopherol))
Name in the List of Designated Additives: dl－α－トコフェロール (No. 277)

In Japan

A form of vitamin E. The standards for use say it cannot be used for any purpose other than preventing oxidation (except when contained in preparations of β-carotene, vitamin A and the like).
Because it is an antioxidant, it is written together with the purpose name, as in “酸化防止剤（ビタミンE）” (antioxidant (vitamin E)). The short names “トコフェロール” (tocopherol), “ビタミンE” (vitamin E) and “V.E” can also be used.
Existing food additives such as extracted tocopherols can also be written as “トコフェロール” or “ビタミンE”, so the label alone does not show which one is used.

Japan's standards for use

Must not be used for any purpose other than preventing oxidation (except when contained in preparations of β-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin A fatty acid esters and liquid paraffin)

This is a summary of the standards for use. See the source list for the exact conditions.

In the EU

It is on the EU list of food additives (Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II) as E307.

When it is labeled under a shared name

dl-α-Tocopherol may be declared on the label in the same way as “酸化防止剤（ビタミンC・ビタミンE）”. See Antioxidant (vitamin C / vitamin E) for details.

Sources

Checked 2026-10-02. Rules and evaluations change over time. This page is a translation of our Japanese page; if they differ, the Japanese page is the reference.

This page lists facts stated in laws and in evaluations by public bodies; it is not a safety verdict. Additives used in Japan are approved by the government, which sets the foods and amounts they can be used in. The ADI is a guide to the amount that is considered safe to take every day over a lifetime.

Other substances used as antioxidant

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