Other names for the additive (synonyms)
General Information
Additive E500(ii) — sodium bicarbonate is a subtype of the group of food additives E500, commonly known as "soda". Other common names for the substance include baking soda, sodium hydrogen carbonate, and drinking soda.
Chemically, sodium bicarbonate is an acid sodium salt of carbonic acid with the formula NaHCO₃.
In industry, baking soda is produced by reacting an ammonia solution with carbon dioxide (Solvay process), or by neutralizing sodium hydroxide (NaOH) with carbonic acid (H₂CO₃). It can also be obtained by evaporating natural soda brines.
Additive E500(ii) appears as a white crystalline powder that dissolves well in water, forming a slightly alkaline solution. When heated, sodium bicarbonate decomposes with the release of carbon dioxide (CO₂), which is why it is widely used as a chemical leavening agent.
In the food industry, additive E500(ii) serves the following functions:
- main component of baking powders (dough leavening agents);
- acidity regulator in food products;
- foam stabilizer in carbonated beverages;
- anti-caking agent in dry mixes.
Sodium bicarbonate is the most popular type of soda used in households. It is the standard baking soda, as it actively releases CO₂ when reacting with acids (such as citric acid, vinegar, etc.), providing a leavening effect in dough.
Read more about sodium carbonates and their effects on the human body in the main article about additive E500.
