Ingredient
Ammonium Sulfate
What is Ammonium Sulfate?
Ammonium sulfate is an inorganic salt commonly used in various industries, including agriculture and food production. It is typically made by reacting ammonia with sulfuric acid. In its role in agriculture, it is often used as a nitrogen fertilizer.
In the food industry, ammonium sulfate serves primarily as a dough conditioner in baked goods to improve texture and volume. The safety of ammonium sulfate as a food additive is generally recognized, but overexposure to ammonium compounds can pose health risks in other contexts.
While generally considered safe in controlled amounts, consumers might want to be aware of its presence, especially if they have specific dietary concerns or are wary of consuming synthetic additives.
Commonly found in: baked goods, bread, breakfast cereals, yeast products, agricultural fertilizers
What to watch
- High intake in non-food contexts can disrupt the nitrogen balance in the body, leading to health issues.
- Overexposure in industrial settings can cause respiratory, skin, or eye irritation.
Benefits
- Enhances the texture and quality of baked goods when used as a dough conditioner.
- Used effectively in agriculture to improve crop yields as a nitrogen fertilizer.
Ammonium sulfate is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) when used in accordance with good manufacturing practices.
Research shows low health risk in food use but notes potential hazards associated with industrial exposure and high environmental concentrations.
Ammonium sulfate is not derived from animal sources and is typically considered vegan-friendly.
Sources: Ammonium Sulfate: Overview and Uses in Food Industry
Scout's take
Industrial chemical used as yeast food. Also used as fertilizer.
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