Foods Containing E541 (Sodium Aluminium Phosphate)
E541 (Sodium Aluminium Phosphate) is a synthetic raising agent, used as a raising agent to help make doughs and batters rise by releasing gas. Here's where you're most likely to find it on food labels.
Common foods that contain E541
E541 is used across cakes, biscuits, self-raising flour, bread and baking mixes. The foods where it appears most often include:
- Cakes
- Biscuits
- Self-raising flour
- Bread and baking mixes
Exact usage varies by brand and recipe — the only way to know for certain whether a specific product contains E541 is to check its ingredients list, where it must be declared by law, either as "E541" or as "Sodium Aluminium Phosphate".
How to spot E541 on a label
In the UK and EU, additives must appear in the ingredients list with their function and either their E-number or full name — for example "raising agents: E541" or "raising agents: sodium aluminium phosphate". In the US the E-number system isn't used, so look for the full name "Sodium Aluminium Phosphate" instead.
Should you avoid foods containing E541?
E541 is approved for use in the EU, UK and US at regulated levels, but some concerns or conditions apply. For most people, normal dietary exposure to E541 is not considered harmful.
Full guide to E541: safety, vegan and halal status →
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Additive data sourced from Open Food Facts (ODbL licence) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).