Ethanol (E1510)
Ethanol (E1510) is a solvent that Digestoa rates as low concern — it's considered safe at the levels used in food.
Digestoa riskNo known risk
TypeSolvent
Found inflavourings, colour preparations and some processed foods
What is Ethanol?
Ethanol (E1510) is a solvent — used to carry flavours and colours.
Is Ethanol bad for you?
Ethanol is permitted in food and Digestoa rates it as low concern. There's no strong evidence it causes harm at the levels typically used in food.
What foods contain Ethanol?
Flavourings, colour preparations and some processed foods.
Digestoa's take
You don't need to avoid Ethanol. It's one of the more benign things on an ingredients list — worth knowing, not worth worrying about.
Safer swaps
Choose less-processed products with short, recognisable ingredient lists.
Frequently asked questions
Is E1510 the same as Ethanol?
Yes — E1510 is the international additive (E-number) code for Ethanol.
Is Ethanol bad for you?
Digestoa rates Ethanol (E1510) as low concern. It's permitted in food and considered safe at normal dietary levels.
What are the side effects of Ethanol?
No significant side effects are associated with Ethanol at the levels used in food.
What foods contain Ethanol?
Flavourings, colour preparations and some processed foods.
How can I avoid Ethanol?
Check the ingredients list for "Ethanol" or "E1510", or scan the product with Digestoa to see if it's present before you buy.
Risk ratings reflect Digestoa's editorial assessment synthesising EFSA/IARC opinions and peer-reviewed research. Informational only — not medical advice.