Is e313 vegan?

E313 is the food additive code for ethyl gallate, an antioxidant and preservative. It is an ester formed by the chemical reaction of gallic acid with ethanol. Gallic acid is obtained commercially from plant tannins found in gallnuts and tree bark, or it is manufactured through chemical synthesis. The ethanol component is produced either through the fermentation of plant sugars, such as corn or molasses, or through synthetic petrochemical processes.

Food manufacturers add ethyl gallate to fat-containing foods to inhibit oxidation and prevent rancidity. It is typically found in edible vegetable oils, margarines, processed snack foods, dried soups, and powdered flavor formulations.

E313 is classified as vegan because it is manufactured entirely from plant-derived or synthetic chemical sources. No animal tissues, animal byproducts, or animal-derived processing aids are used during its production.