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Click to enlargepadSodium additives and their uses in food

Sodium additives and their uses in food

When foods are processed, salt and other sodium ingredients are added. Common sodium additives that are used as preservatives, thickeners and flavor enhancers are hidden sources of sodium.

  • Baking powder - leavening agent
  • Baking soda - leavening agent
  • Monosodium glutamate - flavor enhancer
  • Sodium alginate - used in chocolate milk and ice cream to make a smooth mixture
  • Sodium benzoate - preservative
  • Sodium caseinate - thickener and binder
  • Sodium citrate - buffer, used to control acidity in soft drinks and fruit juices
  • Sodium hydroxide - softens and loosens skins of ripe olives and some fruits and vegetables
  • Sodium nitrate - curing agent in meat and sausages, provides color, prevents botulism
  • Sodium phosphate - emulsifier, stabilizer, buffer
  • Sodium propionate - mold inhibitor
  • Sodium saccharin - artificial sweetener
  • Sodium sulfite - bleaches fruits for artificial coloring and preservative in prunes


    • Other Hidden Sources of Sodium
  • Over-the-counter Antacids
  • Tap Water (softened)
  • Toothpaste


    • Visit our sodium content of foods page for a list of many common foods and their sodium content per serving. Our low sodium foods page is a more general grouping of low sodium and medium sodium foods.

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