E500: Sodium Carbonates
Main role: raising and acidity control
Also listed as: sodium bicarbonate, baking soda, sodium carbonate
What is E500 (Sodium Carbonates)?
E500 covers sodium carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate, and sodium sesquicarbonate. Baking soda is the familiar hydrogen carbonate form. These salts can adjust acidity or release gas in raising systems.
What does it do in food?
Its main role is raising and acidity control. Mineral ingredients can adjust acidity, firm a food, or keep powders flowing. A technical mineral ingredient does not establish a nutritional dose; use the nutrition declaration to assess amounts per serving.
Food and formulation examples
- Baking powder
- Biscuits
- Breads
These examples describe formulation roles, not a list of unrestricted legal uses. Availability and permitted applications differ by country and food category.
Label names and ingredient questions
Look for E500, E 500, or the ingredient name. Related names and label terms include sodium bicarbonate, baking soda, sodium carbonate. A family code can cover more than one specified form; check the full declaration when the distinction matters.
Baking soda and baking powder are not the same recipe ingredient: baking powder also supplies an acid component. E500 alone does not identify a complete raising mixture.
Is E500 safe?
There is no meaningful personal risk estimate from an E number alone. Food-grade specifications, allowed uses, amount consumed, and individual circumstances all matter. The authorization record below gives the legal scope; it is not a claim that every possible use is appropriate.
A label identifies the ingredient but usually not its concentration. Calculating daily intake requires the amount in the food and the quantities eaten.
Authorization and conditions of use
The Great Britain food additive register lists E500 as Sodium carbonates. This is an entry subject to its stated conditions, not unrestricted permission for every food. The record links to the applicable authorization terms. For an EU product, use the European Commission food additive database to check the relevant food category and limits. Other countries may use different names or rules.