Thickener · EU 500
Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate
FDA status: Approved. EU: Approved. No U.S. state has enacted a specific ban yet.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it independently of federal policy. Its composite safety score is 4 out of 5 (Low Risk), and the European Union separately classifies it as approved. By tracked product count it ranks #277 of 417.
- #277 of 417 by tracked product prevalence
The verdict
Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it. By Open Food Facts product count it sits #277 of 417 among additives with tracked product presence (33rd percentile).
- 4/5
- Low Risk
- Approved
- FDA status
- #277 of 417
- product-prevalence rank
- 0
- state regulations
Regulatory snapshot
Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate: composite 4/5 (Low Risk) with FDA Approved and EU Approved.
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| FDA Status | Approved | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Approved | EC 1333/2008 |
| E-Number | 500 | EU additive register |
| CAS Number | - | CAS Registry |
| Category | Thickener | FDA functional class |
| Composite Safety Score | 4 / 5 (Low Risk) | PlainIngredients methodology |
| EFSA ADI | Not established | EFSA scientific opinion |
| U.S. State Actions | 0 states | State legislative records |
| Tracked Products | 5 | 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 Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate?
SODIUM BICARBONATE -sodium hydrogen carbonate-, commonly known as baking soda, is a chemical compound with the formula NaHCO3.
Health Concerns
- EFSA evaluation: Scientific Opinion on the safety evaluation of the active substances citric acid -E330- and sodium hydrogen carbonate -E500ii-, used as carbon dioxide
Common Uses
Catalog-profile peer axes
Nationwide catalog-profile peers for Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate
Product-count (5) and safety-score (4/5) peer columns, disjoint link sets.
Score 4/5 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 Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate safe to consume?
Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate scores 4/5 (Low Risk). FDA status is Approved. In the lower-concern band the federal listing is the primary signal; EU status is Approved. Moderation still applies to any additive.
What is Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate used for in food?
Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate is commonly used as: Sauces, soups, dairy products, baked goods. It belongs to the Thickener category of food additives.
Where does Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate sit among food additives PlainIngredients tracks?
Among additives with at least one tracked product, it ranks #277 of 417 by Open Food Facts product count. See /methodology#corpus-placement for the ranking bases.
What health concerns are associated with Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate?
Research has identified the following health concerns for Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate: EFSA evaluation: Scientific Opinion on the safety evaluation of the active substances citric acid -E330- and sodium hydrogen carbonate -E500ii-, used as carbon dioxide. These findings inform its safety score of 4/5. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance, especially if you have pre-existing conditions.