Category: Chemicals

Dicalcium phosphate (DCP) is a crucial inorganic compound with diverse applications across multiple industries, including food, pharmaceuticals, and animal nutrition. Its primary use is as a source of calcium and phosphorus, two essential minerals for biological health. Finding this compound can be straightforward if you know the specific application for which you need it, as different industries source different grades of DCP.

According to the CDC, exposure to excessive nitrate levels can lead to adverse health effects, most notably acute methemoglobinemia. This article explores the question, "What does calcium nitrate do to your body?" by detailing the risks associated with exposure and the specific health issues that can arise from its toxic components.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), cetyl alcohol is a safe and permitted synthetic fatty acid for use in both food and cosmetic products. This may come as a surprise to many who associate the term 'alcohol' with intoxicating or drying substances, but the safety of cetyl alcohol hinges on its specific chemical classification as a fatty alcohol.

The majority of the 2.5 billion kilograms of adipic acid produced annually is used for manufacturing nylon, not for human nutrition. This synthetic chemical is not a vitamin and does not provide any nutritional value, despite its use as a food additive.

Potassium lactate, officially recognized as the food additive E326 in Europe, is a versatile and safe ingredient widely used across multiple industries. This potassium salt of lactic acid functions primarily as an effective preservative, humectant, and pH stabilizer.

Despite sounding similar, parabens and PABA are not the same chemical compounds, though both have a similar base structure. They have entirely different functions and safety profiles in products like cosmetics and sunscreens, which has led to significant consumer confusion over the years.

Polysorbate 60 is a common food additive approved by the FDA as generally recognized as safe (GRAS), and is also extensively used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. This versatile emulsifier and stabilizer plays a critical role in blending immiscible ingredients like oil and water to ensure product consistency and texture.

According to 2019 FDA data, glycerin is the third most frequently used ingredient in cosmetics, featured in thousands of products. This versatile sugar alcohol is used extensively across multiple industries, so knowing what has a lot of glycerin in it can help inform consumer choices and highlight its ubiquitous nature.

According to manufacturers and pharmacies in certain regions, a 'soda glycerin' is not a single chemical compound but a pharmaceutical preparation, typically in the form of ear drops. This solution is made by combining two common substances: sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and glycerin. It is primarily used to soften and dissolve hardened earwax, a condition known as impacted cerumen.

A 2017 safety evaluation by the European Food Safety Authority concluded that the food additive polyglycerol esters of fatty acids (E 475) was not of safety concern at reported use levels. These versatile compounds, derived from glycerol and fatty acids, are widely used as nonionic emulsifiers and surfactants in various industries.