Comparing E173 - Aluminium vs E541 - Sodium aluminium phosphate

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Overview

E173 - Aluminium

E173 (Aluminium) is a metallic silver color used to decorate the outside of foods, mostly sweets and baked goods. It gives a shiny, foil-like finish and is used in small amounts on the surface rather than mixed through the whole product.

E541 - Sodium aluminium phosphate

Sodium aluminium phosphate (E541) is a family of aluminum-containing phosphate salts used to control texture and rise in foods. It is most common in baked goods as a leavening acid and in processed cheese as an emulsifying salt.

Synonyms

E173

Aluminium

Aluminum

element 13

E541

Sodium aluminium phosphate

Functions

colour

emulsifying salt raising agent

Origins

Mineral

Synthetic

Products

Found in 45 products

Found in 6,240 products

Search rank & volume

#7158K / mo🇺🇸U.S.

#43390 / mo🇺🇸U.S.

Awareness score

×461.91

over-aware

×0.00

under-aware

Search volume over time

Interest over time for 2 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

Search history data is not available.

Popular questions

Can you put aluminum foil in an air fryer?
Usually yes—if your model’s manual allows it; place foil only in the basket, don’t block airflow holes, keep it away from the heating element, weigh it down with food, and avoid acidic foods that can react with aluminum.
How to cook bacon in the oven with aluminum foil?
Heat the oven to about 400°F (200°C), line a rimmed baking sheet with foil, lay bacon in a single layer (on a rack if you want it less greasy), bake 15–20 minutes to desired crispness, then drain and discard or save the rendered fat; the foil makes cleanup easy.
Does aluminum rust?
No—rust is iron oxide; aluminum instead forms a thin, protective aluminum oxide layer, though it can still corrode (e.g., pitting) in salty or acidic conditions.
Is aluminum magnetic?
No, aluminum isn’t magnetic in everyday use; it’s paramagnetic and won’t stick to a magnet, though strong magnetic fields can induce weak effects via eddy currents.
Is aluminum a metal?
Yes—aluminum is a lightweight, ductile metal and good conductor of heat and electricity; in foods it appears as foil and cookware, and (as E173) as a decorative surface colorant in some regions.