E500: Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda / Ins 500ii) vs. E950: Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K / 200x Sweetener)
Comparing 2 standards across 11 specifications. 11 key differences identified.
E500 (Sodium Carbonates / Sodium Bicarbonate NaHCO3) is a mineral salt leavening agent and pH buffer. INS 500(ii), ADI is Not Limited (Quantum Satis), decomposing under heat and acid to produce carbon dioxide bubbles that expand cakes, cookies, and pretzel crusts.
E950 (Acesulfame K / Ace-K) is a calorie-free, heat-stable synthetic potassium salt sweetener approximately 200 times sweeter than sucrose. INS 950, ADI is 9 mg/kg bw/day, famous for blending with sucralose and aspartame to produce sugar-identical taste curves.
Specification Comparison Table
11 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
E-Number Code
|
E500 | E950 |
|
INS / Codex Number
|
INS 500(ii) (Bicarbonate) / 500(i) (Carbonate) | INS 950 |
|
Functional Class
|
Raising / Leavening Agent, Acidity Regulator, Anti-Caking | Non-Nutritive High-Intensity Sweetener |
|
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
|
Not Limited (Quantum Satis) | 9 mg / kg body weight per day |
|
Primary Mechanism
|
Thermal (>50°C) or acid neutralization releases CO2 gas: NaHCO3 + H+ -> Na+ + H2O + CO2 | High-affinity agonist for T1R2 + T1R3 sweet taste receptor dimer |
|
Common Target Foods
|
Baking powders, cookies, cakes, pretzel alkaline dips, effervescent drink tablets | Diet sodas (Coke Zero), sugar-free energy drinks, baked goods, sugar-free chewing gum |
|
Dietary Compliance
|
100% Vegan (Mineral Solvay process/Trona mining), Halal, Kosher | 100% Vegan, Halal, Kosher, Diabetic Safe, Dental Safe (Non-cariogenic) |
|
Safety Approval
|
EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 184.1736) | EFSA Authorized / FDA Approved (21 CFR 172.800) |
|
Chemical Formula
|
NaHCO3 (Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate) | — |
|
Relative Sweetness Index
|
— | 200x Sucrose |
|
Caloric Value
|
— | 0.0 kcal / g (Excreted unchanged by kidneys) kcal/g |