Potasyum hidroksit

Detailed information

What it is & how it is made

Potassium hydroxide, also called caustic potash, is a strong alkali. The EU specification requires at least 85 per cent alkali calculated as KOH; it occurs as white pellets, flakes or sticks.

Where it is used

It is used as an acidity regulator. Its main applications are cocoa processing and pH adjustment in some beverages and confectionery; it is the counterpart of sodium hydroxide in formulations where potassium is preferred over sodium.

Health note

JECFA has placed this substance in the “ADI not specified” group, meaning no numerical daily intake limit was considered necessary; in the EU it appears in the Group I list of Regulation 1333/2008 and is used at “quantum satis”, the smallest amount technologically required. No health risk has been reported at normal food use levels.

Halal assessment

This substance is an inorganic mineral compound produced without animal raw materials, so no halal concern has been reported for the additive itself. The product as a whole should still be assessed: carriers or other ingredients in the formulation may be of animal origin.