Potassium carbonate
Function: Stabiliser
E501I is the European food-additive number for Potassium carbonate, a stabiliser — keeps a food's physical state uniform and stops it separating. Potassium carbonate (E501i) is a stabiliser used as a food additive.
What is E501I used for?
Potassium carbonate (E501I) is a stabiliser — keeps a food's physical state uniform and stops it separating. It is added during food production for a technological purpose rather than for nutrition.
Is E501I safe or restricted?
E501I is an approved food additive in the EU and currently carries no special regulatory restrictions in the EU additive register. Forkin classifies it as “No regulatory flags” and does not make health claims. See the methodology for how regulatory levels are assigned.
Frequently asked questions about E501I
- What is E501I?
- E501I is the E-number for Potassium carbonate, a stabiliser — keeps a food's physical state uniform and stops it separating. Potassium carbonate (E501i) is a stabiliser used as a food additive.
- What is E501I used for?
- Potassium carbonate (E501I) is a stabiliser — keeps a food's physical state uniform and stops it separating. Manufacturers add it during processing rather than for nutrition. The Forkin app shows which products in your scan history actually contain it.
- Is E501I vegan or vegetarian?
- It depends on the source. Many additives can be produced from plant, mineral, or animal-derived raw materials, and the ingredient list rarely states which was used. The Forkin app shows the verified vegan and vegetarian status per product where it's known, instead of a blanket guess.
- Is E501I safe, and is it banned anywhere?
- E501I is an approved food additive in the EU and currently carries no special regulatory restrictions in the EU additive register. Forkin classifies it as "No regulatory flags" and does not make health claims — see the methodology page for how regulatory levels are assigned, and the Forkin app for the full profile, including acceptable daily intake (ADI) and restrictions by country.
See the full profile in Forkin
The Forkin app surfaces the full regulatory profile of E501I — acceptable daily intake (ADI), restrictions by country, vegan/vegetarian status, alternative names, and which products in your scan history contain it.