E524
Sodium hydroxide
What the research shows
Not enough
published research on this page yet
A white solid also known as lye.
It is used to make soap, paper, textiles and to clear drains.1
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- EU permitted
What expert reviews concluded
Expert panels that weigh all the research. Shown for context: the signal at the top does not count them.
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UN and WHO food additive experts (JECFA), 1965
No daily limit needed (“ADI not specified”, JECFA’s term for very low toxicity).
Regulatory status
Checked Sep 2026-
United States Permitted FDA 21 CFR 184.1763
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European Union Permitted EUR-Lex Reg. (EC) 1333/2008
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United Kingdom Permitted FSA retained EU law
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Canada Permitted Health Canada · Other Accepted Uses
Status reflects the named register on the date checked. It is not a safety rating.
How we checkProducts
The 6 most-scanned of 793 products on Open Food Facts that list sodium hydroxide.
- Original Mondelēz · 220 g 3 additives
- Original Oreo · 176 g 3 additives
- Baked Original Sea Salted Pretzels Penn State · 175 g 1 additive
- Grenade Oreo Grenade · 60 g 8 additives
- High Protein, Low Sugar Grenade · 60 g 8 additives
- Paluszki Lajkonik · 200 g 2 additives
References
- 1Sodium hydroxide. Wikipedia. Accessed September 26, 2026. CC BY-SA 4.0.