Carbonates
A broad category of safe, essential mineral salts.
- Category
- Acidity regulators
- Vegan
- Yes
- Vegetarian
- Yes
What it is
A generic grouping for various carbonate salts (like E500 sodium carbonate or E501 potassium carbonate).
How it is used in food
As a group, the carbonates and bicarbonates do three useful jobs at once — they release carbon dioxide to raise baked goods, they buffer acidity in everything from cocoa to canned vegetables, and their insoluble members keep powders free-flowing. Some also fortify foods with calcium or magnesium.
Commonly found in- Baked goods
- Beverages
Health and safety
Very safe; commonly used as baking soda or water treatments.
Each member of the group has been evaluated individually by EFSA and JECFA, and none was judged to need a numerical ADI: carbonate and bicarbonate ions are part of the body's own acid-base buffering system, and the accompanying sodium, potassium, calcium or magnesium simply joins normal mineral intake. Practical limits come from the mineral partner — sodium for E 500, potassium for E 501 — rather than the carbonate.
Regulatory status
| Region | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Australia & New Zealand FSANZ |
Permitted | Permitted under the FSANZ Food Standards Code. |
| European Union EFSA / European Commission |
Not approved | Not on the EU authorised list of food additives (Annex II). |
| United States FDA (Food and Drug Administration) |
Permitted | Authorised for food use by the FDA (often GRAS for standard additives). |
Identification on labels
- E-number
- E502
Worth knowing
E 502 is not a specific substance but a legacy umbrella code for carbonates in general, which is why you will practically never see it on a real label: EU rules require the specific number instead — E 500 for sodium, E 501 for potassium, E 503 for ammonium and E 504 for magnesium carbonates.
Conclusion
A broad category of safe, essential mineral salts.
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Open the appEntry last reviewed 2026-07-28.
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