Erythorbic Acid vs Soy Lecithin: which is worse?

What is Erythorbic Acid?

Erythorbic acid is a stereoisomer of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) produced by fermentation of sucrose. While it has similar antioxidant properties to vitamin C, it has very little vitamin C activity (approximately 5%). It is primarily used in meat curing to accelerate the conversion of nitrite to nitric oxide, thereby speeding up the development of the characteristic pink color in cured meats.

What is Soy Lecithin?

Soy lecithin is a phospholipid mixture extracted from soybeans during oil processing, primarily composed of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylinositol. It is one of the most widely used food emulsifiers globally. Most commercial soy lecithin is derived from genetically modified soybeans, though organic varieties are available.

Documented risks

Erythorbic Acid: Erythorbic acid is generally recognized as safe. It is not carcinogenic, mutagenic, or teratogenic. At very high doses in animal studies, no toxicity was observed. It is metabolized similarly to ascorbic acid. When used alongside nitrites in cured meats, it serves the beneficial function of reducing nitrosamine formation, potentially making cured meats somewhat safer. No significant adverse effects have been documented at food use levels.

Soy Lecithin: Generally recognized as safe. Soy lecithin is highly refined, and most soy proteins that trigger allergies are removed during processing; however, highly soy-allergic individuals may react. EFSA conducted a safety re-evaluation in 2017 and confirmed its safety at current use levels. The majority of commercial soy lecithin comes from GMO soybeans, which some consumers prefer to avoid. No major toxicological risks have been identified at normal dietary exposure levels.