INS 500 is the code for sodium carbonates
Baking soda. Makes batters and doughs rise, and softens pulses during cooking.
- What it does
- Makes it rise A raising agent
- Also printed as
- Sodium bicarbonate · Baking soda · Sodium carbonate
- Vegetarian?
- Vegetarian From minerals
- In the Zabel score
- Takes no points off Method 1.0.0
- In our catalogue
- 556 packs List it in their ingredients
Is INS 500 vegetarian?
INS 500 is from minerals, so it does not by itself make a food non-vegetarian. The green or brown mark on the pack is still the declaration to go by, because it covers every other ingredient too.
| Food category | Share | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| Biscuits and cookies | 56% | |
| Noodles and pasta | 18% | |
| Chocolate | 3% | |
| Other snacks | 3% | |
| Other beverages | 3% | |
| Everything else | 16% |
Counted from the 556 packs in Zabel's catalogue that list INS 500, 491 of which have a food category so far. Counted 4 Nov 2026.
What does the evidence say about INS 500?
We grade an additive by the evidence about it, not by whether it sounds like a chemical, and we make no claim about whether a pack complies with FSSAI rules.
No numerical limit and no identified concern at food levels. It does contribute sodium, which counts towards the salt total - relevant on a product already high in salt.
Does Zabel mark INS 500 down?
No. On the evidence we hold it takes nothing off the score (method 1.0.0). Read the method.
Questions people search
What is INS 500?
INS 500 is the code for sodium carbonates, a raising agent. Baking soda. Makes batters and doughs rise, and softens pulses during cooking.
Is INS 500 vegetarian?
INS 500 is from minerals, so it does not by itself make a food non-vegetarian. The green or brown mark on the pack is still the declaration to go by, because it covers every other ingredient too.
What does the evidence say about INS 500?
No numerical limit and no identified concern at food levels. It does contribute sodium, which counts towards the salt total - relevant on a product already high in salt.
Does Zabel mark INS 500 down?
No. On the evidence we hold it takes nothing off the score (method 1.0.0).
What other names is INS 500 printed under?
Packs also print it as Sodium bicarbonate, Baking soda and Sodium carbonate, or as the bare number 500 in brackets after the ingredient.
Sources
- 01 Evaluations of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) WHO / FAO, 2024
- 02 Zabel catalogue - pack counts, food categories and the codes printed alongside 4 Nov 2026
Entry updated 19 Sep 2026 · Not reviewed by a dietitian yet · Report an error on this page
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