Since the FDA banned the use of sulfites as a preservative on raw fruits and vegetables from 1986 (1), the use of erythorbic acid has increased. It is a stereoisomer of ascorbic acid (vitamin C), can be used as an antioxidant, a preservative and a color stabilizer in processed meat and fish products with the European food additive number E315.

http://www.chinafooding.com/Erythorbic_Acid