# item.guide
Side-by-Side Comparison Food Additives & E-Numbers

E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) vs. E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt)

Comparing 2 standards across 10 specifications. 10 key differences identified.

Comparing:
E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid)
E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt)

E407 (Carrageenan) is a high-molecular-weight sulfated polygalactan extracted from red edible seaweeds (Chondrus crispus / Irish Moss). INS 407, ADI is 75 mg/kg bw/day, famed for stabilizing cocoa suspension in chocolate milk via kappa-casein binding.

View full E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) spec sheet →

E501 (Potassium Carbonates / K2CO3) is an inorganic alkaline mineral salt. INS 501(i), ADI is Not Limited (Quantum Satis), used as the key 'Kansui' alkaline agent in Japanese ramen noodles and in the Dutch processing of cocoa powder.

View full E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) spec sheet →

Specification Comparison Table

10 Parameters
Parameter / Spec
E-Number Code
E407 E501
INS / Codex Number
INS 407 INS 501(i) (Potassium Carbonate)
Functional Class
Thickener, Gelling Agent, Emulsion Stabilizer Acidity Regulator, Alkaline Leavening, Kansui Salt
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
75 mg / kg body weight per day Not Limited (Quantum Satis)
Primary Mechanism
Negative sulfate esters cross-link with positive charges on milk kappa-casein micelles Alkalinizes noodle dough (pH 9–11), tightening glutenin network and converting flavonoid pigments yellow
Common Target Foods
Chocolate milks, whipping creams, plant-based milks, deli turkey meats (water binding) Ramen noodles (Kansui), Dutch-process alkalized cocoa powder, gingerbread leavening
Dietary Compliance
100% Vegan (Marine seaweed), Halal, Kosher Vegan (Mineral salt), Halal, Kosher
Safety Approval
EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 172.620) EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 184.1619)
Major Types
Kappa (Rigid brittle gel), Iota (Elastic thixotropic gel), Lambda (Non-gelling thickener)
Chemical Formula
K2CO3

Other Alternatives to Compare

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Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) vs. E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) → Compare E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) vs. E200: Sorbic Acid (Antifungal Preservative) → Compare E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) vs. E202: Potassium Sorbate (Soluble Antimicrobial) → Compare E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) vs. E211: Sodium Benzoate (Acid Beverage Preservative) → Compare E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) vs. E220: Sulfur Dioxide (Antioxidant & Wine Preservative) → Compare E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) vs. E224: Potassium Metabisulfite (Campden Salt) → Compare E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) vs. E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) → Compare E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) vs. E251: Sodium Nitrate (Chile Saltpeter / Slow Curing) → Compare E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) vs. E260: Acetic Acid (Vinegar Acidulant / Preservative) → Compare E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) vs. E270: Lactic Acid (Biological Acidulant) → Compare E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) vs. E282: Calcium Propionate (Bread Anti-Mold) → Compare E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) vs. E290: Carbon Dioxide (Carbonation & MAP Gas) → Compare E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) vs. E300: L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C Antioxidant & Flour Improver) → Compare E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) vs. E306: Tocopherol-Rich Extract (Natural Vitamin E Antioxidant) → Compare E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) vs. E322: Lecithin (Phospholipid Emulsifier & Viscosity Reducer) → Compare E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) vs. E330: Citric Acid (Universal Acidulant / Chelator) → Compare E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) vs. E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) → Compare E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) vs. E338: Phosphoric Acid (Cola Acidulant) → Compare E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) vs. E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) → Compare E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) vs. E410: Locust Bean Gum (Carob Bean Gum / LBG) → Compare E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) vs. E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) → Compare E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) vs. E414: Gum Arabic (Acacia Gum Emulsifier) → Compare E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) vs. E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) → Compare E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) vs. E422: Glycerol (Glycerin Humectant & Solvent) → Compare E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) vs. E440: Pectin (Citrus & Apple Jam Gelling Fiber) → Compare E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) vs. E460: Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC / Dietary Bulking) → Compare E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) vs. E471: Mono- & Diglycerides of Fatty Acids (Bread Softener) → Compare E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) vs. E500: Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda / Ins 500ii) → Compare E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) vs. E503: Ammonium Bicarbonate (Baker's Ammonia / Hartshorn) → Compare E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) vs. E509: Calcium Chloride (Firming Agent / Cheese Salt) → Compare E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) vs. E621: Monosodium Glutamate (MSG / Umami Flavor Enhancer) → Compare E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) vs. E627: Disodium Guanylate (GMP Umami Synergist) → Compare E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) vs. E631: Disodium Inosinate (IMP Meat Umami Synergist) → Compare E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) vs. E635: Disodium 5'-Ribonucleotides (I+G Blend) → Compare E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) vs. E950: Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K / 200x Sweetener) → Compare E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) vs. E951: Aspartame (Dipeptide Sweetener / 200x) → Compare E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) vs. E955: Sucralose (Splenda / 600x Heat-Stable Sweetener) → Compare E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) vs. E960: Steviol Glycosides (Reb-A / Stevia Extract) → Compare E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) vs. E965: Maltitol (Sugar Alcohol / 90% Sweetness) → Compare E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) vs. E967: Xylitol (Birch Sugar / Dental Caries Inhibitor) → Compare E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) vs. E968: Erythritol (Zero-Calorie Fermented Polyol) →