Triphosphates – sodium and potassium (E 451) is the ingredient that keeps seafood delicious!

28. 01. 2023

Sodium potassium tripolyphosphate (abbreviated as STPP) is the sodium salt of polyphosphate penta-anion. It is a synthetic ingredient used mainly to retain moisture in fish and meat.

Main important points about E 451 – sodium potassium tripolyphosphate

-It’s a modified starch
– It is not natural because it is produced by chemical synthesis
– It is suitable for children
– It is not a common allergen – but in large quantities it causes calcium deficiency in the body
– It’s vegan and gluten-free

Production of E451

Triphosphate is produced commercially by neutralizing phosphoric acid with sodium hydroxide to form a mixture of sodium phosphate and sodium phosphate.

A white or granular powder is formed.

Where is triphosphate (E 451) used?

It is used to improve the quality of food during its processing, especially meat and fish products. It is also used in pet food.

STPP can be used in industry to produce detergents and detergents, industrial water softeners, degreasers and so on.

STPP is a common additive added to fish (e.g. salmon) before freezing and its primary purpose is to reduce the amount of water and make the seafood firmer. You can also find it in other frozen seafood like mussels, shrimp, and lobster.

Phosphate is widely used in meat processing and its main purposes are water retention, emulsification stability, juiciness and tenderness of meat, retardation of spoilage rate, improvement of color and preservation of flavor.

Its combination with sodium chloride can reduce the sodium content of meat.

Specific foods

  • Beautiful – top quality ham
  • Pikok – chicken breast ham
  • Penny Market – grilled sausages with gouda

Is E451 healthy?

Yes, food grade STPP is a multipurpose ingredient that is generally recognized as safe.

However, some consumers think that phosphate is bad for our health because it is also used in detergents.

Nevertheless, its use in low doses is approved as safe for the body, only in high amounts it can cause a lack of calcium in the body.

Use in the EU vs. USA vs. world

Its use as a modified starch is approved both in the EU and the USA or Australia.

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