Is there any proof that sodium fluoride is dangerous?
There is substantial evidence, including more than fifty human population studies, that links elevated fluoride levels with neurological effects, especially lower IQ. Fluoride also accumulates in the body, including the blood vessels, where it can contribute to calcification.
Is pentasodium triphosphate safe for my health?
Thanks to its clinically proven, safe, and effective properties, Pentasodium Triphosphate is one of the active ingredients we use in our oral care range. What is Pentasodium Triphosphate? Pentasodium Triphosphate is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula Na5P3O10. It is produced on a large scale as a component of many personal care products.
Are products with sodium laureth sulfate safe to use?
Toxicological data support that SLS is safe for use in cleaning products when formulated to minimize its irritancy potential. It is concluded that the use of SLS in cleaning product formulations does not introduce unnecessary risk to consumers or the environment because of the presence of the ingredient, and, if properly formulated and qualified, does not pose danger to human health and safety.
What are the side effects of sodium phosphate?
- irregular heartbeat
- vomiting
- fainting
- seizures
- rash
- hives
- itching
- swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, mouth or throat
- burning or tingling of the lips, tongue, or mouth
- throat tightness
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How harmful is sodium tripolyphosphate?
Sodium phosphate is considered safe by the FDA but should be avoided by certain people, including those with kidney disease. Make sure to talk to your doctor if you are concerned about your sodium phosphate intake or before using it as a supplement.
Is sodium tripolyphosphate safe for humans?
In foods, STPP is used as an emulsifier and to retain moisture. Many governments regulate the quantities allowed in foods, as it can substantially increase the sale weight of seafood in particular. The United States Food and Drug Administration lists STPP as Generally recognized as safe.
How is sodium tripolyphosphate used in food?
It is frequently used as a food preservative and as a water softener in commercial detergents. As a food additive, STPP helps with moisture retention and is used to preserve the natural color of meat and fish products while improving their texture.
Is sodium tripolyphosphate a neurotoxin?
Food products labeled as "wet" have usually been treated with sodium tripolyphosphate. STPP, is a suspected neurotoxin according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's (NIOSH) Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances.
Is tripolyphosphate safe to eat?
Tripolyphosphate and sodium bisulfite are considered safe in low doses by the Food and Drug Administration.
Why does Lucky Charms have trisodium phosphate in it?
It is used as a leavening agent in bread, cake, muffins, and similar products. Trisodium phosphate in cereal is yet another common food application. The chemical makes minor changes to improve dry, extruded cereal color while also promoting the product's flow through extruder equipment.
Is trisodium phosphate safe to eat?
In the simplest terms, trisodium phosphate is a food additive and preservative. The USDA classifies trisodium phosphate as “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS), allowing its use in baked goods, breads, meats, and cheese. Trisodium phosphate is made by combining sodium and phosphate (which is derived from phosphorus).
What is sodium tripolyphosphate made from?
Sodium tripolyphosphate is a sodium salt of triphosphoric acid. It is manufactured in chemical laboratories by mixing disodium phosphate and monosodium phosphate.
What is the difference between trisodium phosphate and sodium tripolyphosphate?
The key difference between trisodium orthophosphate and sodium phosphate is that trisodium orthophosphate is harmful to the environment, whereas sodium phosphate is comparatively environmentally friendly. Trisodium orthophosphate and sodium phosphate are inorganic compounds consisting of phosphate atoms.
What is sodium tripolyphosphate in shrimp?
Sodium tripolyphosphate, also known as pentasodium triphosphate or STPP, is a versatile chemical, used in cleaning products, detergents, soaps, paints, ceramics and food products. According to Wise Geek, it is often used as a preservative in seafood like shrimp and scallops to "help retain...
What is sodium tripolyphosphate used for?
With the capability of maintaining water, the primary uses of food grade sodium tripolyphosphate are to improve the eating quality in food processing, especially in meat and fish products. It is also applied in pet food (e.g. cat and dog food) for the purpose of binding water and keeping the animal feed fresh.
How is polyphosphate formed?
A polyphosphate is formed by a number of simple phosphate units linked together, and sodium tripolyphosphate contains three such units. The brief manufacturing processes are as follows (1) : STPP is commercially produced by the neutralization of phosphoric acid with sodium hydroxide to form the mixture of monosodium phosphate ...
What is STPP in fish?
Sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), the sodium salt of the polyphosphate penta-anion, also known as pentasodium tripolyphosphate or sodium triphosphate (different with trisodium phosphate), is a synthetic ingredient mainly used for retaining moisture in fish.
Why is seafood damaged?
The taste, odor, texture, and juiciness are important properties of seafood but most seafood is easily damaged caused by ice crystals and the protein denaturation during the freezing storage . It is the protein in fish meat that determines the water retention performance.
Is STPP food safe?
Yes, food grade STPP is a multiple purpose ingredient that is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) when used in food in accordance with good manufacturing practice by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (2). Also, the safety of STPP has been approved by the European Food Safety Authority ...
Is a detergent bad for you?
However, some consumers think it is bad for our health as it is a chemical used in detergents that cannot be eaten , and along with other possible side effects, such as allergy reactions.
Does STPP help with water retention?
STPP interacts with amino acids or hydroxyl groups in proteins, thus improving the water retention and gel strength of meat. Meanwhile, its combination with sodium chloride can reduce the sodium content in meat compared with using sodium chloride only. NaCl contains 39.3% sodium, while in sodium tripolyphosphate ...
Why is seafood soaked in STPP?
If seafood is soaked for too long in an STPP bath, it may absorb more water, which means you’ll pay more for the product by the pound because the excess water makes it weigh more. A product may have been “soaked” with STPP if a milky white liquid oozes from the fish as you cook it, and it may also deflate in size a bit.
What is STPP in seafood?
It’s an additive—called sodium tripolyphosphate, or STPP for short—and it is used to make your seafood appear firmer, smoother and glossier. Seafood manufacturers may soak your seafood in a quick chemical bath of STPP in order to achieve these effects.
Is STPP a neurotoxin?
In large quantities, STPP is a suspected neurotoxin, as well as a registered pesticide and known air contaminant in the state of California. How can one steer clear of STPP? Ask at your market or fish shop if the scallops or shrimp you’re being sold are “dry.”.
What is trisodium phosphate?
Trisodium phosphate is a food additive that contains sodium and inorganic phosphate. Sodium phosphate additives are commonly found in highly processed foods.
What is inorganic phosphorus?
Trusted Source. ). Inorganic phosphorus includes phosphorus-derived food additives like trisodium phosphate, which are added to foods as an ingredient . Trisodium phosphate is one of the most common types of sodium phosphate additives and can be found in a variety of items. It and other phosphate additives are routinely used in fast food ...
What happens when the kidneys are compromised?
However, when the kidneys are compromised, such as in those with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or kidney failure, they lose the ability to properly excrete waste products.
Is it safe to eat too much sodium phosphate?
While consuming too much sodium phosphate is not good for anyone’s health, small amounts of it are considered safe. Nevertheless, people with certain medical conditions should avoid foods that contain sodium phosphate additives like trisodium phosphate.
Does phosphorus affect the body?
Trusted Source. ). Since inorganic phosphorus is more effectively absorbed by the digestive tract, it affects the body differently than organic phosphorus. Eating too many foods containing sodium phosphate additives can raise phosphate levels in the body to an unhealthy level.
Is phosphorus inorganic or organic?
Organic phosphorus, which is found naturally in foods like dairy products and meats, has a much lower and slower absorption rate than the inorganic type of phosphorus (sodium phosphate) added to processed foods. Organic phosphorus is much less absorbable than inorganic phosphorus. ).
Is sodium phosphate bad for you?
Consuming small amounts of foods that contain sodium phosphate is most likely not harmful to your health. However, since many people consume fast food, processed meats and packaged foods on a daily basis, there is concern that high levels of sodium phos phate can harm the body. Organic phosphorus, which is found naturally in foods like dairy ...

Chemistry
- Structurally, STPP is made up of five sodium atoms, three phosphorous atoms, and ten oxygen atoms stuck together. It is commonly made by mixing monosodium phosphateand disodium phosphate to produce a white crystalline powder that has no smell and easily dissolves in water. These useful characteristics make it suitable for a variety of uses.
Cleaning Power
- One of the common usages of STPP is as an ingredient in detergents and soaps. Most gel, liquid, tablet, and powder forms of both laundry and dishwasher detergent contain it. Its key function is that it allows surfactants, which are molecules that help dissolve surface dirt, to work at their full potential. The chemical can also soften hard waterfor easier foaming and cleaning, and it helps …
Food Applications
- Sodium tripolyphosphate is also used to preserve foods such as red meats, poultry, and seafood, helping them to retain their tenderness and moisture during storage and transport. Pet food and animal feed can also be treated with it, serving the same general purpose as it does in human food. STPP also has been used to help preserve the quality of drinks such as milk and fruit juice…
Other Uses
- STPP's chemical characteristics are used in paint to keep the pigments evenly dispersed, and in ceramics to evenly distribute clay. Paper mills use it as an oil-resistant agent when coating paper, and it may also be used as a tanning agent for leather. Due to its cleaning action, it may also be an ingredient in toothpaste.
Safety Profile
- Although sodium tripolyphosphate is generally regarded as safe, in very high quantities (such as ingesting large amounts of the pure chemical), it can be toxic. Chemical manufacturers make industrial grade and food grade sodium tripolyphosphate for the market; food grade contains the fewest impurities. There is some public concern about the presenc...