E536 Potassium Ferrocyanide

Potassium ferrocyanide (Potassium ferrocyanide, potassium hexacyanoferrate II, potassium ferrocyanide, potassium hexacyanoferrate, yellow blood salt, E536)

Potassium ferrocyanide (ferrocyanide, yellow blood salt, E536) is a complex compound of divalent iron, as a substance that prevents clumping and caking of crumbly products.

Potassium ferrocyanide (E536) is a rather dangerous chemical additive that is prohibited from being used in the manufacturing process of a variety of products in some countries. ^[1]. In our country, there is no such ban, and E536 is actively added to ordinary table salt as an anti-caking agent (prevents salt from clumping). Also, this additive is actively used in various technologies as a clarifier.

There are also the following names of this additive, which are used by manufacturers in indicating the composition of their products: potassium hexacyanoferroate, potassium hexacyanoferrate II, potassium trihydrate, FA, potassium ferricyanide, yellow blood salt ^[2]. The element belongs to the group of food additives in the form of an anti-caking component, an emulsifier and a clarifier.

Untreated natural salt has a grayish tint (yes, it looks dirty and ugly at first glance). In the process of adding E536, the salt acquires a white and pure shade, and, consequently, a more attractive aesthetic appearance for the consumer. This plays into the hands of manufacturers, since the appearance of the product can significantly increase the price of a product so popular among consumers.

Some manufacturers add the E536 additive as an emulsifier in winemaking, in the production of sausages. Potassium ferrocyanide is also used in the preparation of certain types of cheese. In cheese, this food additive acts as an emulsifier and imparts color uniformity to the dairy product.

E536 is also added to inexpensive varieties of cottage cheese in order to improve its color and give a crumbly texture to the product (an indicator of the presence of an additive in cottage cheese is the same, crumbly cheese grains).

Accumulation in the human body is harmful and can cause many side effects that will be difficult to eliminate. It should be borne in mind that hard cheeses are included in the diet of children, pregnant women, women during lactation, in postoperative diets, in the diet of the elderly. The presence of potassium ferrocyanide in this dairy product can trigger irreversible processes in various body systems.

Determining the presence of potassium ferrocyanide in the composition of the product is quite simple. Such products are characterized by a whitish coating on the shell.

Therefore, if during the period of inspection of the product there is a white coating on the packaging of cheese, sausage or other product, it is recommended to refuse the purchase and choose a different type of product.

General Characteristics of E536 Potassium Ferrocyanide

Potassium ferrocyanide has been registered as a food additive belonging to the group of emulsifiers under the code E536. The name yellow blood salt appeared in the Middle Ages, when the substance was obtained by fusing blood (usually found in excess in slaughterhouses), iron filings and potash. The resulting crystals were yellow in color, which was the reason for the unusual name. E536 is a neutral, slightly toxic substance that does not decompose in water and in the human body (calorizator). In the process of chemical synthesis during gas purification, E536 is currently obtained.

Harm of E536 Potassium Ferrocyanide

Substances containing cyanides in their composition are known to be dangerous to health. There is no scientific evidence and justification for the harmful effects of potassium ferrocyanide on the human body, but doctors and scientists agree that using products containing E536, you can provoke serious skin problems (inflammatory processes, acne), disorders of the gallbladder and liver, gastrointestinal tract, lymph nodes, as well as intoxication of the body, reaching nervous disorders.

Application of Potassium Ferrocyanide

The main use of E536 is an additive to table salt, which prevents its clumping and improves the color of salt (the natural color of table salt is dark gray). It is often used in ready-made seasonings and spice mixes, where salt is added. Ferrocyanide is also used in winemaking, less often in the production of sausage and cottage cheese products.

In addition to the food industry, Potassium ferrocyanide is used in the chemical and light industries, for the manufacture of silk dyeing pigments. In agriculture, Potassium ferrocyanide is used as a fertilizer.

What danger is fraught with E536

In our country, the use of this additive in the food and chemical industries is allowed, but there are certain restrictions on its quantity. For salt, the allowable rate is up to 20 milligrams of E536 per 1 kilogram of product.

There are a number of problems that can arise due to the constant consumption of food and the accumulation of potassium ferrocyanide in the body:

• severe intoxication of the body as a whole;
• severe violations of the functioning of the lymphatic system;
• disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system;
• problems with the skin (dermatitis, acne, pimples, purulent inflammation);
• violations of the liver and gallbladder;
• disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.

The powder is yellow crystals. This is a chemically synthesized additive that is obtained in the process of gas purification at gas plants.

From the very name of potassium ferrocyanide, it becomes clear that this additive contains cyanide compounds. Additive E536 can be obtained in different ways, and at the same time, the amount of cyanides and hydrocyanic acid in it varies.

Scientists do not comment on the situation with the use of this dangerous emulsifier, especially where its use can be abandoned.

To date, potassium ferrocyanide is produced from already used materials, which contain a large amount of cyanide compounds.

This additive is odorless and has a bitter-salty taste. Its density is 1,85 grams per cubic centimeter. At room temperature with dry air, this dietary supplement will not decompose upon contact with air. ^[3], ^[4].

The additive almost does not decompose upon contact with water. The issue of its harm and benefit is currently being actively studied in many countries in order to determine the possibility of using E536 in any industry. ^[5].

When buying different products, you should carefully study the labels indicating the composition and, if possible, avoid buying products with the presence of E536, since if this additive is used incorrectly (in the case of a violated production technology), serious consequences for the human body can be provoked.

Use of E536 in industry

Potassium ferrocyanide is actively used not only in the food industry, but also in the form of dyes for fabrics and paper, as a radioactive coal utilizer and as fertilizers. The maximum dose of this additive in our country is 10 milligrams per 1 kilogram of the product. ^[6].

If there is a large amount of E536 in dyes and other industrial products, the following body reactions can be provoked: allergic rash, redness, itching, ulcers, headache, mucosal damage, etc.

Potassium ferrocyanide will in any case have an effect on a person, therefore, its use should be limited as much as possible. ^[7].

Sources of