Vitamin C, essential for growth, healthy teeth, gums, bones, skin and blood vessels and aiding the absorption of iron, is found naturally in many fresh fruits and vegetables.

E302 is prepared synthetically and, like E300, it is used as an antioxidant, a colour preservative and as a vitamin supplement.

It can be found in bouillons, consommés and scotch eggs.

Some fear that it may increase the formation of calcium oxalate stones in the urine and should therefor be avoided by those with a predisposition to kidney stones.