Among the Scandinavian peoples, lutefisk is traditionally served at the Christmas table. Literally, this name translates as “fish in alkali”, which, in fact, accurately characterizes the dish. Lutefisk is a pre-dried fish that is kept in an alkaline solution for several days, then soaked in water, fried and served. In this form, the fish acquires an unusual jelly-like texture. What’s the secret? The fact that the Scandinavians prepare an alkaline solution from caustic soda – the very aggressive substance that is better known in our country as a means for effectively cleaning sewer pipes. Probably, many now thought: “Oh, horror! How can they eat it? But it should surprise you even more. Most of us, if not daily, then regularly eat food containing caustic soda. It’s just that in the food industry it hides under a different name – the additive E524.
General characteristics
The scientific name of the E524 additive is sodium hydroxide or caustic soda. This very aggressive substance of synthetic origin has no analogues in nature. Under natural conditions, it takes the form of white flakes or small soapy granules to the touch.
Nowadays, it is widely used in various branches of life, including medicine, pharmacology, and the food industry. In agriculture, for example, caustic soda is used to test cow’s milk for impurities. This substance is used in the production of various types of household chemicals (the most popular are for cleaning water and sewer pipes). In cosmetology, caustic soda is added to shampoos, soaps, nail polish removers, creams, and also to products for getting rid of keratinized skin. In addition, sodium hydroxide is an indispensable substance in the oil refining, pulp and paper industry and in the production of diesel fuel.
In the food industry, sodium hydroxide is used to regulate acidity, as a stabilizer and emulsifier. Despite the very aggressive properties and an impressive list of side effects, caustic soda is allowed as a dietary supplement throughout the world.
Dangerous properties of caustic soda
Caustic soda is a rather dangerous substance. On contact with the skin and mucous membranes, deep and very painful wounds are formed. Contact of caustic soda with the eyes is very dangerous, as it causes atrophy of the optic nerve, which leads to blindness. If caustic soda powder is accidentally inhaled, an attack of severe coughing will begin, shortness of breath, a sore throat will appear, and even respiratory edema is possible. And one can only imagine what this substance is capable of doing with our internal organs. If you accidentally swallow caustic soda, severe pain and burning sensation will appear in the abdomen very quickly, anaphylactic shock is possible. At the slightest suspicion of sodium hydroxide poisoning, it is important to immediately call an ambulance. Skin areas affected by caustic soda should be washed with a mild solution of boric or acetic acid, mucous membranes with clean water, eyes should first be treated with a very weak solution of boric acid, and then with water.
Although sodium hydroxide is used in the food industry in microdoses, side effects are possible with regular use of food containing E524.
What may contain
Food additive E524 can be contained in a variety of product groups in which it performs a variety of functions. Take at least jams and marmalades, which often contain sodium hydroxide. In this group of products, the additive plays the role of a regulator and stabilizer of the acidity level. If you add a certain amount of caustic soda to the dough for baking, then the finished product will get a beautiful ruddy crispy crust.
The most famous muffin made with caustic soda is German bagels. Black canned olives get their dark color and characteristic texture also thanks to the addition of E524. In products made from chocolate, cocoa, butter or other types of fats, sodium hydroxide accelerates the breakdown of proteins. This supplement also comes to the rescue when it is necessary to quickly and easily peel the fruit from the skin. To do this, fruits, berries or vegetables are simply treated with caustic soda. In addition, the acidity regulator E524 is used in the production of fermented milk products, margarines, ice cream, and various types of sweets.
Sodium hydroxide is a dangerous chemical compound. And although in the food industry E524 is used in small doses, which usually do not pose a danger to humans, excessive caution does not hurt. If you are unwilling or unable to give up E-containing foods yourself, then try to at least minimize the number of “nuts” in the diet of young children. And for this, do not forget to check what it consists of before buying a product.