E501 — Potassium carbonates

Status in the United States (FDA)

Listed in the FDA inventory “Substances Added to Food”, with the regulations 21 CFR 73.85, 172.560, 173.310, 184.1619.

Technical effects listed by the FDA: flavoring agent or adjuvant, leavening agent, nutrient supplement, ph control agent, processing aid

The inventory is a partial list, and a listing is not an FDA approval of every use; the regulations set the permitted uses.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Substances Added to Food (updated 9/8/2026), public domain · CAS 584-08-7 via Wikidata (CC0)