E517: Ammonium Sulphate
Main role: food processing and acidity control
Also listed as: ammonium sulfate
What is E517 (Ammonium Sulphate)?
Ammonium sulphate is an ammonium salt used in specified food-processing applications. Its function and conditions depend on the product category rather than the word ammonium alone.
What does it do in food?
Its main role is food processing 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
- Specified food processing
- Bakery ingredient preparations
- Fermentation-related formulations
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 E517, E 517, or the ingredient name. Related names and label terms include ammonium sulfate. A family code can cover more than one specified form; check the full declaration when the distinction matters.
The additive is sulphate rather than sulphite. Read its specific purpose and authorization instead of assuming that every sulphur-containing ingredient is a preservative.
Is E517 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 E517 as Ammonium sulphate. 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.