Sodium sulphates
Mineral salts of sodium and sulphuric acid, used to control acidity and pH in processed foods and as a carrier for other additives.
What is it?
E514 covers two related mineral salts: sodium sulphate (E514i) and sodium hydrogen sulphate, also called sodium bisulphate (E514ii). Both are produced by combining sodium compounds with sulphuric acid. Sodium sulphate also occurs naturally as a mineral (mirabilite) and is a normal component of the human diet via drinking water and naturally sulphate-rich foods. The body handles sulphate through normal mineral metabolism pathways.
What does it do?
Acts primarily as an acidity regulator and pH-control agent, helping manufacturers maintain a stable, consistent acidity level in a food product. Sodium hydrogen sulphate is the more acidic of the two and is used where a stronger acidifying effect is needed. Both forms also serve as carriers, meaning they help disperse other food additives or processing aids evenly through a product. The permitted level is quantum satis, meaning the minimum amount technically needed to do the job.
Where you will see it
Most likely to appear in food supplements (tablets, powders, capsules), enzyme preparations used in food manufacturing, and some processed foods where pH control is needed during production. Also used in certain beverages, instant food mixes, and jelly products. On a UK label it appears as 'sodium sulphates', 'sodium sulphate', 'sodium hydrogen sulphate', 'E514', 'E514(i)' or 'E514(ii)'.
What the science says
Laxative effect at high doses
At doses of around 300mg per kilogram of body weight or higher, sodium sulphate has a laxative effect in humans. This is a known pharmacological effect of sulphate salts in general, not specific to the food additive use. Dietary exposures from normal food use are estimated to be far below this threshold. EFSA's 2019 re-evaluation found no concern at the reported use levels.
Human studies show laxative effects at sodium sulphate doses of approximately 300mg/kg body weight. Estimated dietary exposure from food additive use was far below this level across all population groups including toddlers.
Genotoxicity and carcinogenicity
EFSA's re-evaluation found no concern for genotoxicity based on the available data. Chronic animal studies with ammonium sulphate, a closely related compound in the same group, did not show carcinogenicity. The Panel did not identify genotoxic or carcinogenic potential for the sulphate group as a whole.
No concern for genotoxicity was identified for sulphuric acid and its sodium, potassium, calcium and ammonium salts in a re-evaluation covering E513 to E517.
Heavy metal contaminant limits
EFSA noted that the technical specifications for this group of sulphate additives allow trace amounts of arsenic, lead and mercury as impurities. The Panel recommended tightening the permitted contaminant limits in EU specifications, as cumulative exposure to these trace metals could be a consideration at high food additive use. This is a specification quality issue, not a concern about the sulphate itself.
EFSA flagged that impurities of arsenic, lead and mercury in sulphate salt preparations could contribute to dietary exposure to toxic elements, and recommended lowering current specification limits for these contaminants.
Where it stands with the regulators
Who should be careful
People who need to limit sodium intake, including those managing high blood pressure, may want to note that sodium sulphate contributes a small amount of dietary sodium. The contribution from typical additive use is likely modest, but the cumulative sodium load from all sources matters. Look for 'E514', 'sodium sulphate' or 'sodium hydrogen sulphate' on the label.
The honest read
Sodium sulphate is a mineral salt that occurs naturally in food and water. Its use as a food additive is narrow, primarily in supplements and industrial enzyme preparations rather than everyday branded foods. EFSA's 2019 re-evaluation, covering a wide body of animal and human data, found no genotoxic, carcinogenic or reproductive concern at food use levels. The main known effect is a laxative action at doses far above what food use delivers. The one open question from the re-evaluation concerns trace heavy metal impurities in the raw material, for which EFSA recommended tighter specifications. This is a manufacturing quality standard matter, not a direct concern about the additive itself. The science on E514 at food-use levels is not a live area of active controversy.
Related additives
Common questions
Is E514 banned in the UK?
No. E514 is approved for use in the UK and EU as an acidity regulator and carrier, listed on the UK FSA's approved additives register. It covers both sodium sulphate (E514i) and sodium hydrogen sulphate (E514ii).
Can E514 cause digestive problems?
Sodium sulphate has a well-documented laxative effect at high doses, roughly 300mg per kilogram of body weight. The amounts used as a food additive are far below this level, so digestive effects from typical food use are not expected. People who take high-dose supplements containing sodium sulphate in larger quantities should be aware of the laxative threshold.
What foods contain E514?
E514 is most commonly used in food supplements (tablets, capsules, powders), enzyme preparations used in food manufacturing, and some processed foods requiring pH control during production. It is not a widely used ingredient in everyday supermarket foods. Check the ingredients list for 'E514', 'sodium sulphate' or 'sodium hydrogen sulphate'.
Is E514 vegan?
Yes. Sodium sulphates are mineral salts with no animal-derived components. E514 is suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
Sources
- Re-evaluation of sulphuric acid and its sodium, potassium, calcium and ammonium salts (E 513, 514(i), 514(ii), 515(i), 515(ii), 516 and 517) as food additives - EFSA Journal 2019
- Re-evaluation of sulphuric acid and its salts as food additives - PMC full text
- UK FSA: Approved additives and E numbers
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