Comparing E330 - Citric acid vs E522 - Aluminium potassium sulphate
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Popular questions
Is citric acid bad for you?
At typical food levels, citric acid (E330) is considered safe by major regulators (GRAS; EFSA/JECFA). Concentrated or frequent acidic exposure can irritate the mouth/stomach or contribute to tooth enamel erosion.
Where does the citric acid cycle occur?
In eukaryotic cells it occurs in the mitochondrial matrix; in bacteria it occurs in the cytosol.
What does citric acid do to your body?
It is a normal intermediate in energy metabolism and is readily metabolized to carbon dioxide and water. Citrate can bind minerals, which may enhance absorption of some and help prevent certain kidney stones by increasing urinary citrate.
Where does citric acid come from?
It occurs naturally in citrus fruits, but most food-grade citric acid is produced by fermenting sugars (e.g., from corn, beet, or cane) with Aspergillus niger.
How is citric acid made?
Industrially, sugars are fermented with Aspergillus niger to produce citric acid, then it is recovered and purified—often by precipitating calcium citrate and converting it back with sulfuric acid or via ion-exchange/crystallization.
Is potassium alum safe?
Yes—when used within legal limits in foods, potassium alum (E522) is permitted for limited uses and considered safe; nonetheless, total aluminum intake should stay below EFSA’s tolerable weekly intake of 1 mg/kg body weight, and people with kidney disease should be cautious.
Does potassium alum contain aluminum?
Yes; it’s a double sulfate salt (KAl(SO4)2·12H2O) that contains trivalent aluminum.
Is potassium alum aluminum?
No; it isn’t elemental aluminum but a sulfate salt that contains aluminum ions.
Is potassium alum bad for you?
Not at the small amounts allowed in foods; excessive aluminum exposure can be a concern—especially for people with impaired kidney function—so uses and levels are restricted.
Is potassium alum the same as aluminum?
No; potassium alum (aluminum potassium sulfate) is a compound containing aluminum, not the same as pure aluminum metal.