Sodium aluminum phosphate is a mineral that occurs naturally in rocks. This white, flakey solid is used in baking, as a thickening agent and coloring agent. It turns out that sodium aluminum phosphate is also commonly used in foods as a food additive and preservative. Its acidic form is classified as E541 in the European Union.
What is sodium aluminum phosphate?
Sodium aluminum phosphate is a salt that contains aluminum. It is found naturally in the environment, but it can also be produced artificially by combining phosphate with sodium hydroxide and then treating the resulting solution with aluminum oxide. Sodium aluminum phosphate is used primarily as an additive to improve the quality of food products.
Sodium aluminum phosphate is a white powder with a strong salty taste. It dissolves easily in water and has a low density of 1.075 grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm^3).
It consists of sodium salts of aluminum phosphates. SALP comes in acidic and basic forms. In Europe, the acidic form is commonly used and designated by the E number E541, while JECFA identifies both forms with INS 541(i).
What is sodium aluminum phosphate used for?
Sodium aluminum phosphate is an inorganic salt that has a variety of uses. It’s often used as a food additive and additive for animal feed, but it’s also used in the manufacturing of glass, soap and paper.
In foods, sodium aluminum phosphate is used as a preservative to prevent growth of microorganisms and to help maintain texture and color in dried foods. It’s also used as a leavening agent in baked goods such as breads, cakes and pastries. This ingredient is also added to some cheeses to help keep their shape during aging.
Sodium aluminum phosphate is used in household cleaning products as an abrasive cleaner or rust remover. It’s also used in toothpaste for its abrasive properties that help remove plaque from teeth.
What is sodium aluminum phosphate in food?
Sodium aluminum phosphate is a food additive used as an emulsifier, thickener and stabilizer. It’s also used as a preservative in meats, poultry and seafood. It can be found in processed meats such as hot dogs and bacon, as well as potato chips, gravies and soups.
Sodium aluminum phosphate is found naturally in some foods, such as celery and spinach. Sodium aluminum phosphate can also be used to make other substances like toothpaste, mouthwash and soap.
Sodium aluminum phosphate is used by the food industry to stabilize the color of cooked meat products like hot dogs or sausage. It’s also commonly added to canned vegetables to prevent discoloration caused by oxidation.
How is sodium aluminum phosphate made of?
Sodium aluminum hydroxide (Na2CO3), alkali metal hydroxide (AlOH3), and orthophosphoric acid (H3PO4) can be chemically produced by combining sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), aluminum hydroxide (AlOH), and orthophosphoric acid (H3PO4) atomic ratio of 1:3:8.
The reactants that make sodium aluminum phosphate are aluminum hydroxide, which is usually made from bauxite ore, and phosphoric acid. The compound can be produced by heating these two chemicals together at high temperatures. The reaction produces sodium phosphate and hydrogen gas, which may be separated out by distillation.
After the initial heating stage, sodium aluminum phosphate can be further processed by adding sulfuric acid or magnesium chloride to create different types of product with different properties. This step may take place before or after the distillation process depending on what type of product you want to make.
Properties
Appearance
Powder with a white, odorless appearance.
Structure
Solubility
Insoluble in water. Soluble in hydrochloric acid.
Other Names
- Aluminum sodium phosphate
- Phosphoric acid, aluminum sodium salt
- Trisodium dialuminium pentadecahydrogen octaphosphate
- Sodium trialuminium tetradecahydrogen octaphosphate tetrahydrate
CAS Number
7785-88-8
Chemical formula
- Basic: Na8Al2(OH)2(PO4)4
- Acidic: NaAl3H14(PO4)8 · 4H2O / Na3Al2H15(PO4)8
What are the application of sodium aluminum phosphate?
Sodium aluminum phosphate is a white, water-soluble powder that is used as an additive in the food industry to help preserve the color, flavor and texture of the product. It is also used as a thickener in ice creams and sherbets.
Sodium aluminum phosphate (SALP) is used in a variety of industries including:
Food & Beverage – Sodium aluminum phosphate (SALP) acts as an emulsifier and stabilizer in foods such as cheeses, ice cream and processed meats.
Pharmaceuticals – SALP can be used to produce tablets that disintegrate easily in the stomach by controlling the release of drugs from tablets or capsules.
Cosmetics – SALP is used in the production of cosmetics and shampoos as a thickener, emulsifier and stabilizer.
Insecticides – SALP is used in the production of insecticides as a gelling agent.
Industrial – SALP is used as a water softener and detergent in industrial applications including oil refineries, chemical plants and paper mills.
SALP is also used as a thickening agent in manufacturing beer, soft drinks and other foods.
Is sodium aluminum phosphate safe?
Yes, Sodium aluminum phosphate has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since the 1960s for use as an antiperspirant ingredient in deodorant products and clinical uses such as treating hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating). In addition, sodium aluminum phosphate was approved in 1999 for use in some prescription drugs used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
FDA
Foods containing it can be used as anticaking agents, free-flow agents, drying agents, emulsifiers or emulsifier salts, humectants, leavening agents, and texturizers. It is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) when used according to good manufacturing practices.
EFSA
According to Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012, sodium aluminum phosphate acidic (E541) is an authorized food additive.
Safety re-evaluation in 2018
In its safety re-evaluation in 2018, aluminum compounds were reported to have acute toxicity and low bioavailability and there was no concern regarding carcinogenicity and genotoxicity. In the current authorized uses and levels of use, EFSA concluded that E541 is not a safety concern.
Authorised Uses And Use Levels
There are only a few products that may contain E541 as a food additive, and they are as follows:
- Scones and sponge wares
- Sponge cakes
UK Food Standards Agency
Listed under “Others”
Food Standards Australia New Zealand
Australia and New Zealand have approved it as an ingredient under code number 541.
Sodium acid pyrophosphate VS Sodium aluminum phosphate
Both Sodium acid pyrophosphate and Sodium aluminum phosphate are used as leavening agents that activate the baking soda. They are both generally considered safe and effective. However, there are some differences between them.
Sodium acid pyrophosphate (SAPP) is a mineral compound with the chemical formula Na5P6O10. It is used as a food additive to prevent recrystallization of starch and increase water retention in processed potatoes, as well as to improve calcium retention in cheese. It is also added to laundry detergents to reduce fabric shrinkage. for more read: https://gradechemical.com/phosphates/what-is-sodium-acid-pyrophosphate/
Sodium aluminum phosphate (SALP) is a salt of phosphoric acid and aluminum phosphate, with the chemical formula Na5Al6(PO4)4. It is an odorless white powder that dissolves easily in water and has a high solubility in heat. It can be found naturally in plants such as the pineapple and is used as a food additive for preservation purposes.
Sodium acid pyrophosphate has a higher pH than sodium aluminum phosphate, so it is less effective at activating the baking soda. It also has a longer shelf life than sodium aluminum phosphate, which makes it more stable in high-heat environments.
Sodium aluminum phosphate has a lower pH than sodium acid pyrophosphate, so it is more effective at activating the baking soda. The lower pH also means that it may be less stable in high-heat environments (in fact, this is why many recipes call for using sodium aluminum phosphate).
What does sodium aluminum phosphate do to your body?
According to the National Institutes of Health, sodium aluminum phosphate is a water-soluble compound found in food additives such as baking powder and self-rising flour. The compound acts as an emulsifier, which means it helps keep ingredients from separating during cooking or baking.
Sodium aluminum phosphate also has cosmetic uses because it helps reduce sweating and prevent body odor. It does this by reducing the amount of sweat produced by your body through a chemical reaction with sweat glands. This reaction reduces the amount of sodium available inside your sweat glands to make salt water. Since there isn’t enough sodium inside your sweat gland cells to make salt water anymore, they become dehydrated and unable to produce sweat any longer.
What are the side effects of sodium aluminum phosphate?
There are times when consumers are unsure about the health effects of sodium aluminum phosphate and what risks they may face. In addition to preferring natural additives to synthetic ones for food, we understand that consumers are concerned about the ingredients incorporated into the foods we eat. Most people consider it to be safe, but some may be allergic to it or sensitive to it in some way.
Side effects of sodium aluminum phosphate include:
Diarrhea. Diarrhea is one of the most common side effects of sodium aluminum phosphate, occurring in about 30 percent of patients. Diarrhea may be severe enough to cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Symptoms include frequent, watery stools (at least three a day), nausea and vomiting, abdominal cramps, bloating and gas.
Allergic reaction (hypersensitivity). Sodium aluminum phosphate may trigger an allergic reaction in some people. If you develop hives, itching or swelling after taking the drug, contact your doctor immediately.
High blood potassium levels (hyperkalemia). Sodium aluminum phosphate can increase blood levels of potassium in some people by increasing the amount of potassium released into the bloodstream by the kidneys. This can be dangerous because high levels of potassium can lead to abnormal heart rhythms or even death.
Sodium toxicity or low sodium levels (sodium depletion). Sodium depletion may occur if you take too much sodium aluminum phosphate over time or if your kidneys are damaged by chronic kidney disease (CKD) or diabetes mellitus type 2 (diabetes). Symptoms of low sodium levels include muscle weakness; fatigue; confusion; irritability; blurred vision;
Frequently asked questions
Is sodium aluminum phosphate toxic?
Sodium aluminum phosphate is not toxic when it is used in its intended applications. In fact, it is used as a food additive to prevent caking and improve moisture retention.
However, if you are exposed to large amounts of sodium aluminum phosphate, you can experience some symptoms that include skin irritation and damage to your digestive system.
Is aluminum in food bad for you?
Yes. Aluminum is a metal, and therefore cannot be digested by the human body. While the body is able to absorb some aluminum, it cannot break down or digest the element, which means that it will remain in your stomach and intestines.
Is sodium aluminum phosphate natural?
Yes, sodium aluminum phosphate is natural. It is found in the soil, and it is also produced by bacteria in the digestive tracts of animals.
Is sodium aluminum phosphate safe for pregnant?
Yes, Sodium aluminum phosphate is safe for pregnant women to use, but it should only be used under the advice and supervision of a doctor.
Is sodium aluminum phosphate vegan?
Yes, sodium aluminum phosphate is vegan.
Sodium aluminum phosphate is an ingredient that is often used in cosmetics, soaps, and other personal care products. It’s used as an emulsifier and helps to keep ingredients from separating.
Is sodium aluminum phosphate halal?
Yes, According to Islamic Law, SALP is halal as long as it fulfills the halal requirements. MUI Halal certificates are also available from some manufacturers.
Is sodium aluminum phosphate kosher?
Yes, sodium aluminum phosphate is kosher. It’s often found in toothpaste and mouthwash, as well as other products.
Is sodium aluminum phosphate gluten free?
Sodium aluminum phosphate is not considered gluten-free. It’s made from a mixture of sodium and aluminum.
But it’s also not necessarily a problem for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
It’s important to note that there has been no research done on the potential effects of this ingredient on those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
Conclusion
You should now have a clear understanding of sodium aluminum phosphate (E541), from its two forms acidic and basic; production; uses in bakery and cheese; approved safety, possible side effects, and some FAQs such as is it vegan, gluten-free, synthetic or natural, etc.
Can you feedback what type of food packaging contains this ingredient? Feel free to leave us a comment.
