Food additive databasenutrient (fortification)Checked 2026-10-02

Sodium Selenite 亜セレン酸ナトリウム

Designated additiveNot on the EU additive list

Purpose: nutrient (fortification)
On the label: “亜セレン酸Na” (sodium selenite), “亜セレン酸ナトリウム” (sodium selenite)
Name in the List of Designated Additives: 亜セレン酸ナトリウム (No. 24)

In Japan

Used to add selenium.
It may be used only in powdered infant formula, liquid infant formula, and breast milk substitutes, and there is an upper limit on the amount of selenium per 100 kcal.
Its short name is “亜セレン酸Na” (sodium selenite). It is included among the additives that may be used for nutritional fortification (minerals).

Japan's standards for use

Powdered infant formula (調製粉乳), liquid infant formula (調製液状乳), breast milk substitutes (excluding those approved by the Prime Minister)
When used in breast milk substitutes: must not exceed 5.5 μg of selenium per 100 kcal
May not be used in any other food

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

In the EU

It is not on the EU list of food additives (Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II), so it cannot be used as a food additive in the EU.
In the EU it is not a food additive. It is listed in Annex II of Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 as a form of vitamins and minerals that may be added to foods.

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 nutrient (fortification)

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