What is E500? – Complete Guide to Sodium Carbonate & Baking Soda

The Quick Answer

E500 is a family of sodium compounds that function as leavening agents, acidity regulators, and stabilizers in food.

The most common form you’ve heard of is sodium bicarbonate—baking soda. E500 also includes sodium carbonate (washing soda) and sodium sesquicarbonate.

It’s one of the safest and most natural food additives, with minimal health risks for most people.

What Exactly Is E500?

E500 refers to three chemically related sodium compounds:

E500(i) – Sodium Carbonate (Na₂CO₃): Also called washing soda or soda ash. A white powder that is strongly alkaline. Used primarily in industrial applications and some food products.

E500(ii) – Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHCO₃): Also called baking soda or sodium hydrogen carbonate. A white crystalline powder with a slightly salty taste. The most common and recognized form in home cooking and commercial food production.

E500(iii) – Sodium Sesquicarbonate: A mixture of sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate. Intermediate in alkalinity between the other two forms. Less commonly used but found in some specialized applications.

In simple terms: E500 is a family of food-safe, alkaline (basic) compounds derived from common salt. They help baked goods rise, regulate acidity, and stabilize food products.

Where You’ll Find E500

E500 appears in many foods:

• Baked goods (bread, cakes, muffins, pastries)
• Baking powder
• Ramen noodles and Asian noodle soups
• Cocoa and chocolate products
• Processed meats and sausages
• Sherbet powder and fizzy candies
• Sauces and salad dressings
• Pasta and fresh noodles
• Cheese and dairy products
• Soups and broths
• Ice cream and frozen desserts
• Confectionery and sweets
• Coffee and cocoa processing
• German pretzels and lye rolls (used for browning)
• Infant formula

You’ve almost certainly consumed E500 multiple times this week, especially if you eat any baked goods or processed foods.

How Does E500 Work?

E500 serves multiple functions depending on context:

As a leavening agent: When sodium bicarbonate (E500(ii)) is heated or mixed with acidic ingredients (buttermilk, yogurt, citric acid, vinegar), it releases carbon dioxide gas. This gas creates bubbles in dough or batter, making cakes, muffins, and bread rise and become light and fluffy.

As an acidity regulator: E500 is alkaline, meaning it neutralizes acid. In food, this helps balance pH levels, preventing spoilage and extending shelf life. In meat products, it improves color and texture. In noodles (like ramen), it creates the characteristic chewy texture by increasing alkalinity.

As a stabilizer: In ice cream, cheese, and other processed foods, E500 helps maintain consistent texture and prevents separation or crystallization.

As an anti-caking agent: E500 prevents moisture from causing clumping in powdered products and salt mixtures.

As a sequestrant: It binds metals and prevents discoloration or spoilage in foods like dried fruits and potato products.

Is E500 Safe?

E500 is one of the safest food additives available. Here’s why:

Regulatory approvals: FDA, EFSA, and food authorities in over 100 countries approve E500. It has GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status.

Natural origin: Unlike synthetic additives, E500 compounds exist naturally in minerals and salt water. Your body encounters them regularly from natural food sources.

Low toxicity: Scientific testing shows E500 has virtually no toxic effects at any reasonable consumption level. There are no established ADI (Acceptable Daily Intake) limits—authorities consider it safe at any level typically found in food.

Extensive use history: Baking soda has been used in cooking for over 150 years with an excellent safety record.

Potential Side Effects (When Consumed in Excess)

E500 is safe in food amounts, but problems can occur from excessive intake:

Using large amounts of baking soda as a medical treatment (not as a food additive) can cause:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Headaches
• Muscle weakness or twitching
• Mood changes
• Frequent urination
• Swelling of feet or legs
• Unpleasant taste
• Alkalosis (blood becoming too alkaline)

Important: These side effects occur only from therapeutic doses of baking soda taken as a medicine, not from normal food consumption. The amount of E500 in a slice of cake or a serving of ramen is thousands of times smaller.

For people on low-sodium diets: Sodium bicarbonate contains sodium. Those with sodium restrictions (hypertension, kidney disease, heart disease) should monitor total sodium intake, though the amounts in food are typically small.

The Three Forms of E500 Explained

Production Method

How is E500 made?

Most E500 is derived from natural salt deposits or sea water using the Solvay process (also called the ammonia-soda process):

Step 1: Start with salt water (brine) or mined salt (halite)

Step 2: Pass ammonia and carbon dioxide through the salt solution

Step 3: The chemical reaction produces sodium bicarbonate, which precipitates out and can be separated

Step 4: Heat the sodium bicarbonate to produce sodium carbonate, or keep it as bicarbonate

Step 5: Purify and dry the product to a fine powder or crystalline form

The entire process uses only common, natural chemicals and minerals. No synthetic or toxic compounds are involved.

E500 vs Baking Powder: What’s the Difference?

Baking soda and baking powder are not the same:

Baking soda (E500(ii), sodium bicarbonate): A single chemical compound. Requires an acid to activate (buttermilk, lemon juice, vinegar, cocoa). Reacts immediately—baked goods must go into the oven quickly or they’ll lose the leavening effect.

Baking powder: A mixture containing about 30% baking soda (E500), plus acidifying agents (cream of tartar, monocalcium phosphate, or sodium aluminium phosphate) and anti-caking agents. Doesn’t require an acid in the recipe. Releases gas more slowly, allowing longer mixing and resting times.

Both are safe and widely approved. Baking powder is simply a more convenient premixed version.

Benefits Beyond Baking

E500 (particularly baking soda) has multiple uses:

In cooking: Tenderizes meat, softens beans and legumes, enhances browning of baked goods, brightens green vegetables

Medicinal uses: Neutralizes stomach acid (heartburn/indigestion), though this requires larger doses than food contains

Cleaning: Natural deodorizer, removes pesticides from fruits and vegetables, cleans without toxins

Personal care: Mild abrasive for toothpaste, deodorant, bath additive

Athletic performance: Some studies suggest baking soda may buffer lactic acid during intense exercise, potentially improving endurance performance—though evidence is mixed

Why E500 Is Different From Other Additives

E500 stands out for several reasons:

It’s natural: Unlike most additives, E500 compounds occur naturally in mineral deposits and salt water. Your body produces and uses bicarbonate naturally.

No controversy: Unlike MSG, artificial sweeteners, or synthetic dyes, E500 has no health debates. Even natural food advocates accept it.

Multi-generational use: People have been using baking soda safely for over 150 years with zero long-term health issues identified.

Vegan-friendly: Unlike some additives derived from animal products, E500 is 100% plant-based and mineral-based. No animal processing involved.

Transparent: Many people recognize baking soda and understand what it does, making foods containing it feel less mysterious.

The Bottom Line

E500 (sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate) is one of the safest, most natural, and most beneficial food additives available. It serves practical functions in food production and has been used safely for generations.

Unlike controversial additives like artificial dyes, MSG, or synthetic sweeteners, E500 has:

• Excellent safety record
• Natural origin
• No identified long-term health risks
• Vegan/vegetarian/halal certification
• Consumer understanding and acceptance

The takeaway: If you’re concerned about food additives, E500 is among the last things to worry about. The real issue is the overall consumption of ultra-processed foods, not specific additives like E500. You can feel confident eating foods containing sodium bicarbonate or sodium carbonate.