Sequestrants

Citric acid (E330)

Citric acid (E330) is most commonly used in food as an acid, acidity regulator and antioxidant but is also used as a sequestrant to bind metal ion that might lead to rancidity in food. It is permitted in foods quantum satis in the EU.

Phosphoric acid (E338) 

Phosphoric acid (E338) mainly used as an acid in foods but also has sequestrant properties.

Metatartaric acid (E353)

Metatartaric acid (E353) is manufactured from glucose and is used as a sequestrant to prevent deposition of cream of tartar (monopotassium tartrate) and calcium tartrate in wine during storage. It is only permitted in wine in the EU up to 100mg/litre.

Calcium disodium – EDTA (E385) 

Calcium disodium – EDTA (E385) is mainly used as a sequestrant binding metal ions and exchanging its calcium for metal ions. It is used to sequester small amounts of metals present in raw materials or process water to increase stability in products and extend shelf-life. It is used in spreadable fats and is only permitted in these, and a number of canned and bottled products in the EU with individual maxima given in each case.

 Erithyrytol (E968)

Erithyrytol (E968) is most typically used as bulk sweetener to replace sugar but can also be used as a sequestrant.

Sodium phosphates (E339) and Potassium phosphates (E340)

Sodium phosphates (E339) and Potassium phosphates (E340) both contain monometal, dimetal and trimetal phosphates that have a variety of used in food. Dimetal phosphates are powerful sequestrants of calcium in water and are used where clumping of milk proteins needs to be avoided during the rehydration of milk based powders in hard waters. They are permitted in specific foods in the EU with individual maxima.

Triethyl citrate (E1505) 

Triethyl citrate (E1505) is used as a sequestrant but is only permitted in dried egg white, processed eggs and egg products where it has quantum satis status, or in food supplements to a maximum of 3500mg/kg.