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Additives

Sodium Tetraborate (E285): What It Is and Is It Safe?

Hazardous Preservative · Antimicrobial

Borax. Used alongside boric acid in caviar preservation. Toxic — the same accumulation and organ damage concerns as boric acid apply. Banned as a general food additive in most countries. EU restricts it to caviar only.

Category
Preservative — Antimicrobial
Typically used in
Beluga and Sevruga caviar only (EU restricted)
Regulatory status
Highly restricted in EU. Banned in most food uses globally. Toxic.
Also listed as
Borax
Concerns flagged
Kidney effectsNeurotoxicity concernReproductive-health concern

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Sources

Where this comes from

  1. EFSA (2013) — Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of boric acid -E 284- and sodium tetraborate -borax- -E 285- as food additives. http://dx.doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2013.3407
Products

Products containing Sodium Tetraborate

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