Side-by-Side Comparison
Food Additives & E-Numbers
E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E960: Steviol Glycosides (Reb-A / Stevia Extract)
Comparing 2 standards across 12 specifications. 12 key differences identified.
Comparing:
E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt)
E960: Steviol Glycosides (Reb-A / Stevia Extract)
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.
E960 (Steviol Glycosides / Rebaudioside A) is a natural zero-calorie sweetener water-extracted from the leaves of the Stevia plant (Stevia rebaudiana). INS 960a, ADI is 4 mg/kg bw/day (as steviol equivalents), providing 250–350x sucrose sweetness.
Specification Comparison Table
12 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
E-Number Code
|
E501 | E960 |
|
INS / Codex Number
|
INS 501(i) (Potassium Carbonate) | INS 960a / 960c |
|
Functional Class
|
Acidity Regulator, Alkaline Leavening, Kansui Salt | Natural High-Intensity Sweetener |
|
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
|
Not Limited (Quantum Satis) | 4 mg / kg body weight per day (as steviol equivalents) |
|
Common Target Foods
|
Ramen noodles (Kansui), Dutch-process alkalized cocoa powder, gingerbread leavening | Natural zero-calorie sodas (Zevia), flavored yogurts, protein shakes, tabletop drops |
|
Dietary Compliance
|
Vegan (Mineral salt), Halal, Kosher | 100% Vegan (Stevia leaf water extraction), Halal, Kosher, Non-GMO |
|
Safety Approval
|
EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 184.1619) | EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS Notices (GRN 252) |
|
Chemical Formula
|
K2CO3 | — |
|
Primary Mechanism
|
Alkalinizes noodle dough (pH 9–11), tightening glutenin network and converting flavonoid pigments yellow | — |
|
Relative Sweetness Index
|
— | 250 – 350x Sucrose (Reb-A >98%) |
|
Caloric Value
|
— | 0.0 kcal / g kcal/g |
|
Glycemic Index (GI)
|
— | 0 (Zero effect on blood glucose or insulin) |
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