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E284 Boric Acid – Food Preservative

E284 is the EU food additive code for boric acid, a preservative with antimicrobial properties that is approved only for very limited use within the European Union.

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Things worth knowing about "E284"

E284 is the EU food additive code for boric acid, a preservative with antimicrobial properties that is approved only for very limited use within the European Union.

What is E284 (Boric Acid)?

E284 refers to boric acid (chemical formula: H₃BO₃), a weak inorganic acid used as a food preservative. Within the European Union, the use of E284 is strictly regulated and permitted only in a very small number of specific food categories. Boric acid appears as a white, odourless powder or crystalline solid and has a long history of use as a preservative and antiseptic agent.

Origin and Properties

Boric acid occurs naturally in volcanic regions, mineral springs, and in trace amounts in various plants and fruits. Industrially, it is commonly derived from the mineral borax (sodium tetraborate). It is water-soluble and exerts toxic effects on microorganisms at higher concentrations.

Use as a Food Additive

Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives, E284 is approved for use in only a very limited number of traditional products. These include:

Caviar and caviar products: Boric acid has been traditionally used to preserve genuine caviar (sturgeon roe), extending its shelf life and maintaining quality.

Its use is confined to this niche because boric acid can be toxic to the human body in larger quantities. The permitted maximum level in caviar is 4 g/kg, expressed as boric acid.

Mechanism of Action

Boric acid exerts its preservative effect through several mechanisms:

Inhibition of microbial growth by interfering with the cell wall synthesis of bacteria and fungi
Disruption of enzymatic processes within microorganisms
Lowering of the pH in the food product, creating an unfavourable environment for pathogens

Safety and Health Assessment

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and other international bodies have repeatedly evaluated boric acid. Boric acid and borates are considered potentially toxic, particularly with regular or high intake. Potential health concerns include:

Reproductive toxicity: Animal studies have demonstrated effects on fertility and embryonic development at high doses.
Kidney damage: Chronically elevated boron intake may impair kidney function.
Acute toxicity: At very high intake levels (far exceeding amounts found in food), symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and in severe cases neurological effects.

The tolerable daily intake (TDI) has been set by EFSA at 0.16 mg/kg body weight per day. When used as intended in approved foods (primarily caviar), E284 is considered safe, as the amounts consumed remain low due to the typically small portions of caviar eaten.

Labelling

Foods containing E284 must declare it in the ingredient list in accordance with EU labelling regulations, either as E284 or as boric acid.

Regulatory Status in Europe

In the European Union, E284 is approved only for a small number of traditional food products. Its use is prohibited in most other food categories. Regulatory status may differ in countries outside the EU. The strict regulation reflects the precautionary approach applied to potentially toxic substances in food.

References

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA): Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of boric acid (E 284) and sodium tetraborate (borax) (E 285) as food additives. EFSA Journal, 2013.
Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on food additives.
World Health Organization (WHO) / FAO: Boron, boric acid, borates and other boron compounds. Toxicological evaluation. WHO Food Additives Series.

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