Food Additive · EU 507
Hydrochloric Acid
FDA status: Approved. EU: Approved. No U.S. state has enacted a specific ban yet.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Hydrochloric Acid is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it independently of federal policy. Its composite safety score is 3 out of 5 (Mixed Evidence), and the European Union separately classifies it as approved. By tracked product count it ranks #312 of 417.
- #312 of 417 by tracked product prevalence
The verdict
Hydrochloric Acid is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it. By Open Food Facts product count it sits #312 of 417 among additives with tracked product presence (20th percentile).
- 3/5
- Mixed Evidence
- Approved
- FDA status
- #312 of 417
- product-prevalence rank
- 0
- state regulations
Regulatory snapshot
Hydrochloric Acid: composite 3/5 (Mixed Evidence) with FDA Approved and EU Approved.
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| FDA Status | Approved | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Approved | EC 1333/2008 |
| E-Number | 507 | EU additive register |
| CAS Number | - | CAS Registry |
| Category | Food Additive | FDA functional class |
| Composite Safety Score | 3 / 5 (Mixed Evidence) | PlainIngredients methodology |
| EFSA ADI | Not established | EFSA scientific opinion |
| U.S. State Actions | 0 states | State legislative records |
| Tracked Products | 3 | Open Food Facts (US) |
Values reflect official agency classifications as published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Union's regulatory framework. See our methodology for scoring details.
What is Hydrochloric Acid?
Hydrochloric Acid is a food additive (507) classified as food additive.
Health Concerns
- EFSA evaluation: Re‐evaluation of hydrochloric acid -E 507-, potassium chloride -E 508-, calcium chloride -E 509- and magnesium chloride -E 511- as food additives. EFSA overexposure risk: moderate
Common Uses
Catalog-profile peer axes
Nationwide catalog-profile peers for Hydrochloric Acid
Product-count (3) and safety-score (3/5) peer columns, disjoint link sets.
Score 3/5 peers (≥50 OFF products)
Nearest other additives by PlainIngredients safety score (floored at ≥50 tracked products), distinct from the count row.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hydrochloric Acid safe to consume?
Hydrochloric Acid scores 3/5 (Mixed Evidence). FDA status is Approved. The mixed-evidence band means federal approval and remaining open questions coexist, read the health-concern and state-action rows before treating the score as a green light.
What is Hydrochloric Acid used for in food?
Hydrochloric Acid is commonly used as: Various processed foods. It belongs to the Food Additive category of food additives.
Where does Hydrochloric Acid sit among food additives PlainIngredients tracks?
Among additives with at least one tracked product, it ranks #312 of 417 by Open Food Facts product count. See /methodology#corpus-placement for the ranking bases.
What health concerns are associated with Hydrochloric Acid?
Research has identified the following health concerns for Hydrochloric Acid: EFSA evaluation: Re‐evaluation of hydrochloric acid -E 507-, potassium chloride -E 508-, calcium chloride -E 509- and magnesium chloride -E 511- as food additives. EFSA overexposure risk: moderate. These findings inform its safety score of 3/5. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance, especially if you have pre-existing conditions.