Sodium Carbonates
Function: Acidity Regulator
E500 is the European food-additive number for Sodium Carbonates, an acidity regulator — used to control and stabilise the pH of a food. SODIUM CARBONATES is the generic term for a Na and CO3 combination.
What is E500 used for?
Sodium Carbonates (E500) is an acidity regulator — used to control and stabilise the pH of a food. It is added during food production for a technological purpose rather than for nutrition.
Is E500 safe or restricted?
E500 is approved for use in the EU. It sits among the additives EFSA keeps under ongoing review as new evidence is published. Forkin classifies it as “Under monitoring” and does not make health claims. See the methodology for how regulatory levels are assigned.
Frequently asked questions about E500
- What is E500?
- E500 is the E-number for Sodium Carbonates, an acidity regulator — used to control and stabilise the pH of a food. SODIUM CARBONATES is the generic term for a Na and CO3 combination.
- What is E500 used for?
- Sodium Carbonates (E500) is an acidity regulator — used to control and stabilise the pH of a food. Manufacturers add it during processing rather than for nutrition. The Forkin app shows which products in your scan history actually contain it.
- Is E500 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 E500 safe, and is it banned anywhere?
- E500 is approved for use in the EU. It sits among the additives EFSA keeps under ongoing review as new evidence is published. Forkin classifies it as "Under monitoring" 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 E500 — acceptable daily intake (ADI), restrictions by country, vegan/vegetarian status, alternative names, and which products in your scan history contain it.