Boric acid
Score impact
-1.00
points/product
Description
Boric acid (E284) is a food additive used primarily as a preservative, with antimicrobial and fungicidal properties. It is an inorganic compound of natural origin, found in minerals such as sassolite, although industrially it is obtained from borates (like borax) by reaction with mineral acids. Its chemical formula is H3BO3, and it appears as a white, odorless crystalline powder with a slightly bitter taste, soluble in water. Its main function in food is to inhibit the growth of microorganisms, especially yeasts and molds, and it also acts as an acidity regulator in some products.
Historically, boric acid has been used as a preservative since the 19th century, but its use in food has been restricted due to toxicity concerns. In the European Union, it is authorized exclusively for the treatment of caviar (sturgeon eggs) and caviar substitutes, with a maximum limit of 4 g/kg expressed as boric acid. This authorization is based on evaluations by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). EFSA established an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of 0.16 mg of boron per kg of body weight per day, equivalent to approximately 0.9 mg of boric acid per kg. However, dietary exposure to boric acid through caviar is low, as its consumption is limited.
Regarding food safety, boric acid is considered safe under the authorized conditions of use, but its widespread use is not permitted due to its potential reproductive toxicity and accumulation in the body. WHO classifies boron as an essential trace element, but in high doses it can be toxic. Therefore, labeling of products containing E284 must include its name or E number, and in some cases warnings for sensitive populations. Compared to other regions, the US FDA does not allow the use of boric acid in food, while Japan restricts it to certain products. In the EU, its use is strictly controlled and subject to periodic re-evaluations by EFSA.
E284 (boric acid) is authorized in the European Union exclusively for the treatment of caviar (sturgeon eggs) and caviar substitutes, with a maximum limit of 4 g/kg (expressed as boric acid). This use is justified by its ability to preserve the product and maintain its texture.
In the Spanish market, it can be found in high-end caviar and imitation products, although its presence is uncommon due to the limited consumption of caviar. Regulation (EC) 1333/2008 on food additives establishes this restriction, and its use is not permitted in other foods. In comparison, the US FDA does not authorize boric acid as a food additive, while Japan allows it only in some marine products.
EFSA has evaluated that dietary exposure to boron through caviar is low, representing less than 10% of the ADI in regular consumers.
Documented adverse effects of boric acid are mainly associated with high and prolonged exposures, not with the authorized levels in food. Animal studies have shown reproductive and developmental toxicity, including reduced fertility and effects on the fetus.
In humans, acute poisoning from ingestion of large amounts (more than 15-20 g) can cause vomiting, diarrhea, skin rashes, seizures, and kidney damage. However, dietary exposure through caviar is very low (less than 0.1 mg/kg/day), well below the ADI of 0.16 mg boron/kg/day. EFSA concluded that the use of boric acid in caviar does not pose a health risk to the general population, although it recommends avoiding excessive consumption in pregnant women due to possible accumulation.
No significant interactions with medications at dietary levels have been documented. Sensitive populations include people with kidney insufficiency, as boron is mainly excreted in urine.
- Boric acid
- Orthoboric acid
- Borofax
- Trihydroxyborane
- Trioxoboric(III) acid
- Boron trihydroxide
- Boric acid
- Orthoboric acid
- Sassolite
- B(OH)3
Products in our Spanish database containing this additive
Examples found in ComerClaro Spanish product database
Product names and supermarket data may appear in Spanish.
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