Tag: E521

As a white, odorless crystalline solid, sodium aluminum sulfate might not seem like a common household ingredient, but it plays a crucial role in many commercial food products and industrial processes. Also known as soda alum, this versatile compound is a key ingredient in double-acting baking powders, where it provides leavening power when exposed to heat.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has listed aluminum sodium sulfate as "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) for use in food, yet public concern persists over whether sodium aluminum sulfate is bad for you. This article examines the facts behind the fears, looking at its function, safety evaluation, and potential health effects.