Ethanol
A perfectly safe, common flavor solvent.
- Category
- Carriers
- Vegan
- Yes
- Vegetarian
- Yes
What it is
Ethanol is used here as a solvent that carries flavourings and colours into a food.
How it is used in food
Dissolves flavour compounds that will not dissolve in water, then evaporates off.
Commonly found in- Flavour extracts
- Colour preparations
- Icings and glazes
Health and safety
As a carrier the residual amounts are tiny — far below what a food would need to have any of the effects alcohol is known for. Those concerns attach to beverage-level drinking, not to a flavour carrier.
Long-established as a food-grade solvent; the assessment turns on the residual level carried into the finished food, which is very low.
Regulatory status
| Region | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Australia & New Zealand FSANZ |
Permitted | Permitted under the FSANZ Food Standards Code. |
| European Union EFSA / European Commission |
Not approved | Not on the EU authorised list of food additives (Annex II). |
| United States FDA (Food and Drug Administration) |
Permitted | Authorised for food use by the FDA (often GRAS for standard additives). |
Identification on labels
- E-number
- E1510
Worth knowing
It is why vanilla extract is sold in a small brown bottle and smells of spirits.
Conclusion
A perfectly safe, common flavor solvent.
References
Is it in what you are buying?
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Open the appEntry last reviewed 2026-07-28.
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