Food Ingredients · Guide

What Are Food Chemicals?

A plain-language guide to food additives: what they are, why they are used, and how to buy them correctly.

Every bottle of soft drink, packet of biscuits or jar of sauce may contain ingredients that most consumers rarely think about. These are food chemicals: substances added in small amounts so that food keeps its color, flavor and texture, and stays safe from factory to table.

Food chemicals is the common name for substances used in food and beverage processing, most of which are classed as food additives. Unlike main ingredients such as flour, sugar or meat, additives are added for a specific technical purpose: to preserve, stabilize, flavor or improve structure.

Mục lục

Why food needs additives

Modern food travels a long way, from factory to warehouse, truck, shop and finally the consumer. During that time it faces risks that additives help control.

Microbial spoilage — yeasts, molds and bacteria grow and cause mold, sourness and off-odors.

Oxidation — contact with air darkens juices, turns fats rancid and reduces vitamin content.

Loss of structure — oil and water separate, sauces thin out and baked goods dry quickly.

Uneven flavor — flavorings spread unevenly or evaporate during processing.

Thanks to additives, producers can keep quality consistent from batch to batch, reduce waste and ship products further.

INS numbers and E-numbers

Each food additive has an international number so it can be identified however it is named in different countries. The most common system is the INS (International Numbering System) of the Codex Alimentarius. The European Union uses a similar scheme called E-numbers. For example, Potassium Sorbate is INS 202, or E202. When ordering, state the chemical name, INS number and CAS number together to avoid confusion.

Main functional groups

Group	Role	Examples
Preservatives	Inhibit yeasts, molds and bacteria to extend shelf life	Potassium Sorbate
Antioxidants	Prevent darkening, rancidity and vitamin loss	Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)
Acidity regulators	Give a sour taste and stabilize pH	Phosphoric Acid
Solvents and carriers	Dissolve or carry flavors and food colors	Propylene Glycol, Triacetin
Humectants	Keep products soft and prevent drying	Propylene Glycol
Thickeners and gelling agents	Create body, smoothness and stable texture	Food-grade cellulose derivatives

There are many other groups, such as colorants, sweeteners, emulsifiers and raising agents. This guide focuses on those linked to the products CHEINGAR-CHEM supplies.

Food ingredients we supply

CHEINGAR-CHEM CO., LTD was founded in 2017 and works through two subsidiaries, Shandong Kingsin Fine and Qingdao Cheingarchem. Within our range, several products serve the food and beverage industry.

Potassium Sorbate

CAS 24634-61-5 (also listed as 590-00-1) · INS 202 · Preservative

A white powder or granule that dissolves well in water. One of the most widely used preservatives, valued for inhibiting yeasts and molds.

Used in: bakery, cheese, sauces, jams, soft drinks, fermented products.

Note: works best in mildly acidic conditions. Use the correct dose and only in permitted food categories. Usually packed in 25 kg bags.

Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)

CAS 50-81-7 · INS 300 · Antioxidant

A white powder or crystal that is both a vitamin and a favored antioxidant.

Used in: fruit juices, beverages, processed meat, bakery flour, nutritional supplements and animal feed.

Note: breaks down with moisture, light and heat, so store sealed in a cool, dry place.

Phosphoric Acid 85%

CAS 7664-38-2 · INS 338 · Acidity regulator

A concentrated, clear acid solution that gives a distinctive sour taste and helps stabilize pH.

Used in: carbonated soft drinks, beverages, some processed foods. Also used in metal surface treatment.

Note: a corrosive acid that needs dedicated packaging and protective equipment. For food use, choose food grade.

Propylene Glycol (Industrial / USP / Food Grade)

CAS 57-55-6 · INS 1520 · Solvent, humectant

A colorless, slightly viscous liquid that attracts moisture and dissolves many substances. Available in industrial, USP and food grades.

Used in: solvent for flavors and food colors, humectant in confectionery and bakery, plus cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

Note: only products labeled Food Grade or USP may be used in food. Industrial grade must never be used for this purpose.

Triacetin

CAS 102-76-1 · INS 1518 · Flavor solvent

A clear liquid with little odor, used as a solvent and carrier in flavorings. Outside food it is also a plasticizer for cigarette filters.

Used in: flavor solvent, chewing gum, some processed products.

Note: distinguish clearly between food-use grade and the grade used for filters and plasticizing.

Our range changes with timing and sourcing. If you need an additive not listed here, contact us and we will source it to your specification.

Applications by food category

Bakery — preservatives against mold, humectants to keep products soft, Vitamin C to improve dough.

Beverages — acids for sourness, preservatives, and antioxidants that protect color and vitamins in juice.

Dairy and cheese — surface preservatives against mold in certain cheeses and processed dairy.

Meat and seafood — antioxidants that hold color and slow deterioration during storage.

Sauces, seasonings, jams — preservatives and acidity regulators that keep products stable once opened.

Confectionery and flavors — flavor solvents and humectants that spread taste evenly.

Food grade and industrial grade

Many substances share the same name and CAS number in industrial and food versions, yet differ in quality standard. Food grade must reach higher purity, with tight limits on heavy metals, impurities and microbiological indicators, and it must be produced and packed under suitable conditions.

Criterion	Industrial grade	Food grade
Purity	Meets general production needs	Higher, to a food or pharmacopoeia standard
Impurities, heavy metals	Wider limits	Tight limits
Documents	COA, MSDS	COA with food parameters, MSDS, possibly HALAL and Kosher
Purpose	Industrial production	Added to food and drink

The key rule: never use industrial-grade material in place of food grade, even if it is cheaper and chemically identical on paper.

Regulations and permitted dosage

A food additive may be used only when the regulator permits it, in specified food categories, and not above the maximum level. In Vietnam, additive management and use are regulated by the Ministry of Health, and producers should check current legislation (for example Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT and any amendments). For exports, also check the rules of the destination market, such as the EU, the US or Muslim-majority countries.

Right substance — the additive must be on the permitted list.

Right food category — permitted in one category does not mean permitted in another.

Right dose — never above the maximum level set for each food category.

Quality standards and certificates

COA (Certificate of Analysis) — batch results including purity, moisture, heavy metals and other parameters.

MSDS/SDS — hazards, storage, incident handling and first aid.

HALAL and iKosher — needed when food is sold to Muslim or Jewish markets.

ISO and REACH — quality management and EU chemical regulation, important for exporting customers.

CHEINGAR-CHEM holds REACH, ISO, HALAL and iKosher certificates for many products in our range. Certificates apply per product, so please request the documents for the exact item you are buying.

Storage and transport

Powders and granules (Potassium Sorbate, Ascorbic Acid) — packed in 25 kg bags; store dry and cool, away from moisture and direct light.

Liquids (Propylene Glycol, Triacetin) — packed in drums, HDPE containers or IBC tanks, kept sealed against moisture and contamination.

Phosphoric Acid — corrosive; needs corrosion-resistant packaging and transport under dangerous-goods rules.

Avoid cross-contamination — never store with organic solvents or hazardous chemicals, which can taint food ingredients.

For workplace safety when handling chemicals, see our article Safe Use of Chemicals in Production (Vietnamese).

How to choose a food-chemical supplier

Clear documentation — a COA and MSDS for every lot, with the food grade stated.

Transparent sourcing — you know the manufacturer and can trace each lot.

Consistency between lots — stable quality that does not disturb your recipe.

Proper packaging — clean, sealed, intact and fully labeled.

Technical support — understands your application and suggests the right product and reference dosage.

Frequently asked questions

Are food additives safe?

Food additives are assessed as safe by regulators at permitted levels. What matters is using the right substance, the right food grade and the right category, and staying below the maximum dose.

How do food chemicals differ from industrial chemicals?

They share names and CAS numbers, but food grade has higher purity and tighter limits on impurities and heavy metals. Industrial material must not be used in food.

What is an INS number for?

It is an international code identifying a food additive, which helps you look up regulations and avoid confusion between different names.

Which foods use Potassium Sorbate?

Commonly bakery, cheese, sauces, jams and beverages, and it generally works better in mildly acidic products. Check the rules on food categories and maximum levels.

Can Propylene Glycol be used in food?

Only grades labeled Food Grade or USP. Industrial grade is not for food.

How do I get a quote and a sample?

Send the product name, grade (Food Grade), quantity and delivery location. We will reply with a quotation and the matching technical documents.

Need food-grade chemicals?

Contact CHEINGAR-CHEM CO., LTD for a quotation, a sample and technical documents for each product.

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What Are Food Chemicals?

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