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

E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E965: Maltitol (Sugar Alcohol / 90% Sweetness)

Comparing 2 standards across 12 specifications. 12 key differences identified.

Comparing:
E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt)
E965: Maltitol (Sugar Alcohol / 90% Sweetness)

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 →

E965 (Maltitol) is a disaccharide polyol sugar alcohol produced by hydrogenation of maltose derived from cornstarch. INS 965(i), ADI is Not Specified (Excessive consumption may have laxative effect), delivering 90% the sweetness of sugar with 2.1 kcal/g.

View full E965: Maltitol (Sugar Alcohol / 90% Sweetness) spec sheet →

Specification Comparison Table

12 Parameters
Parameter / Spec
E-Number Code
E501 E965
INS / Codex Number
INS 501(i) (Potassium Carbonate) INS 965(i) (Powder) / 965(ii) (Syrup)
Functional Class
Acidity Regulator, Alkaline Leavening, Kansui Salt Bulk Sweetener, Humectant, Texturizer
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
Not Limited (Quantum Satis) Not Specified (Quantum Satis / Laxative warning required)
Common Target Foods
Ramen noodles (Kansui), Dutch-process alkalized cocoa powder, gingerbread leavening Sugar-free chocolates, sugar-free gummy bears, baked bars, chewing gum
Dietary Compliance
Vegan (Mineral salt), Halal, Kosher Vegan (Cornstarch origin), Halal, Kosher, Non-cariogenic
Safety Approval
EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 184.1619) EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 184.1444)
Chemical Formula
K2CO3
Primary Mechanism
Alkalinizes noodle dough (pH 9–11), tightening glutenin network and converting flavonoid pigments yellow
Relative Sweetness Index
90% Sucrose
Caloric Value
2.1 kcal / g (47% fewer calories than sugar) kcal/g
Glycemic Index (GI)
35 (Maltitol powder) / 52 (Maltitol syrup)

Other Alternatives to Compare

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E163: Anthocyanins (Grape Skin & Berry Red/Purple) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E200: Sorbic Acid (Antifungal Preservative) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E202: Potassium Sorbate (Soluble Antimicrobial) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E211: Sodium Benzoate (Acid Beverage Preservative) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E220: Sulfur Dioxide (Antioxidant & Wine Preservative) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E224: Potassium Metabisulfite (Campden Salt) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E251: Sodium Nitrate (Chile Saltpeter / Slow Curing) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E260: Acetic Acid (Vinegar Acidulant / Preservative) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E270: Lactic Acid (Biological Acidulant) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E282: Calcium Propionate (Bread Anti-Mold) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E290: Carbon Dioxide (Carbonation & MAP Gas) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E300: L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C Antioxidant & Flour Improver) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E306: Tocopherol-Rich Extract (Natural Vitamin E Antioxidant) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E322: Lecithin (Phospholipid Emulsifier & Viscosity Reducer) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E330: Citric Acid (Universal Acidulant / Chelator) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E338: Phosphoric Acid (Cola Acidulant) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E410: Locust Bean Gum (Carob Bean Gum / LBG) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E414: Gum Arabic (Acacia Gum Emulsifier) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E422: Glycerol (Glycerin Humectant & Solvent) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E440: Pectin (Citrus & Apple Jam Gelling Fiber) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E460: Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC / Dietary Bulking) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E471: Mono- & Diglycerides of Fatty Acids (Bread Softener) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E500: Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda / Ins 500ii) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E503: Ammonium Bicarbonate (Baker's Ammonia / Hartshorn) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E509: Calcium Chloride (Firming Agent / Cheese Salt) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E621: Monosodium Glutamate (MSG / Umami Flavor Enhancer) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E627: Disodium Guanylate (GMP Umami Synergist) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E631: Disodium Inosinate (IMP Meat Umami Synergist) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E635: Disodium 5'-Ribonucleotides (I+G Blend) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E950: Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K / 200x Sweetener) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E951: Aspartame (Dipeptide Sweetener / 200x) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E955: Sucralose (Splenda / 600x Heat-Stable Sweetener) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E960: Steviol Glycosides (Reb-A / Stevia Extract) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E967: Xylitol (Birch Sugar / Dental Caries Inhibitor) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E968: Erythritol (Zero-Calorie Fermented Polyol) →