Sodium Hydroxide

(in 19,848 products)

1. Acidity Regulator / Buffering Agent - Changes or maintains the acidity or basicity of food/cosmetics.

2. Antiseptic / Disinfectant - Prevents growth of unwanted microorganisms.

3. Cleanser (Cosmetics) - Improves the cleansing properties of water

4. Depilatory Agent - Removes unwanted body hair

5. Fragrance / Fragrance Component - Provides or enhances a particular smell or odor.

6. Preservative - Prevents and inhibits the growth of unwanted microorganisms which may be harmful

Sodium hydroxide, also known as lye and caustic soda, is used in many industries: in the manufacture of pulp and paper, textiles, drinking water, soaps, and detergents, and as a drain cleaner.

Sodium hydroxide is frequently used as an industrial cleaning agent where it is often called "caustic". It is added to water, heated, and then used to clean process equipment, storage tanks, etc. It can dissolve grease, oils, fats, and protein-based deposits. It is also used for cleaning waste discharge pipes under sinks and drains in domestic properties. Surfactants can be added to the sodium hydroxide solution in order to stabilize dissolved substances and thus prevent redeposition. A sodium hydroxide soak solution is used as a powerful degreaser on stainless steel and glass bakeware. It is also a common ingredient in oven cleaners.

In the food industry, sodium hydroxide is designated with E number 524. It is used in the washing or chemical peeling of fruits and vegetables, chocolate and cocoa processing, caramel coloring production, poultry scalding, soft drink processing, and thickening ice cream. Olives are often soaked in sodium hydroxide for softening; Pretzels and German lye rolls are glazed with a sodium hydroxide solution before baking to make them crisp.

It is approved to use as food additive in EU and generally recognized as safe food substance in US.

(EU) No. 622/2016

96/41/EC

III/15a

(a) Nail cuticle solvent

(b) Hair straightener

(c) pH adjuster for depilatories

(d) Other uses as pH adjuster

15d- Callosity softener/remover

(a) 5% (5) (b) 1. 2% (5) 2. 4.5% (5) 15d- 1,5% (5)

(b) 1. General use

2. Professional use

(c) up to pH 12.7

(d) up to pH 11

15 d Contains alcakali, Avoid contact with eyes

Keep out of reach of chindren ans Read directions for use carefully

(a) Contains alkali

Avoid contact with eyes

Can cause blindness

Keep out of reach of children

(b) 1. Contains alkali

Avoid contact with eyes

Can cause blindness

Keep out of reach of children

2. For professional use only

Avoid contact with eyes

Can cause blindness

(c) Keep out of reach of children

Avoid contact with eyes

1527/14 - Opinion on Potassium hydroxide (KOH) as callosity softener/remover

1. PubChem: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/14798

1. South Korea - Ministry of Food and Drug Safety - Prohibited/Restricted Chemicals

- Ref: 1175

2. EU CosIng Annex III, SUBSTANCES WITH RESTRICTIONS IN COSMETIC PRODUCTS [2018]

- Ref: III/15a

3. Argentina Ministerio de Salud - Restricciones

- Hidróxido de sodio o potasio

4. EU Approved Food Additive [2018]

- E524

5. Japan’s List of Designated Food Additives under Article 10 of the Food Sanitation Act

- Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda)

6. Canada List of Permitted Food Additives

- List 8 - Sodium Hydroxide

7. US FDA Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) Food Substances (21 CFR 184) [2017]

- § 184.1763 - Sodium hydroxide

8. International Fragrance Association Transparency List [2015]

- Sodium hydroxide