EDTA-2Na Food Grade

CAS Number:

6381-92-6 (dihydrate form); also 60-00-4 (parent acid); 139-33-3 (anhydrous salt)

Chemical / IUPAC Name:

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt dihydrate

INCI Name:

Disodium EDTA

EC Number:

205-358-3

Molecular Formula:

C10H14N2Na2O8·2H2O (dihydrate)

Molecular Weight:

372.24 g/mol (dihydrate)

Other Names:

EDTA-2Na, Disodium Edetate, EDTA Disodium, Sodium Edetate

Uses:

· Food & Beverage Industry: Used as a preservative, stabilizer, and antioxidant synergist. It binds trace metal ions (iron, copper, calcium, magnesium) that can catalyze oxidation, discoloration, cloudiness, and rancidity in foods .

· Specific Food Applications: Extends shelf life and maintains quality in:

  · Canned Foods: Vegetables, beans, seafood, and nuts (prevents discoloration and maintains texture) .

  · Beverages: Soft drinks and fruit juices (prevents cloudiness and vitamin C degradation) .

  · Sauces & Dressings: Salad dressings, mayonnaise, and sauces (prevents rancidity and stabilizes emulsions) .

  · Pickled Products: Canned pickles, sauerkraut, and relishes (maintains color and crispness) .

  · Spreads & Processed Foods: Margarine, jams, and processed cheese (prevents oxidation) .

  · Dried Vegetables: Retains color stability during storage .

· Dietary Supplements: Used to protect vitamins and active ingredients from metal-catalyzed degradation

· Industrial & Other Uses: While the food grade is for edible products, similar grades are used in pharmaceuticals (stabilizer), cosmetics (preservative), and water treatment, but with different purity specifications .

Origin

EDTA-2Na is a semi-synthetic compound produced by chemical synthesis. The manufacturing process typically involves:

· Synthesis: Reacting ethylenediamine, formaldehyde, sodium cyanide, and sodium hydroxide, or reacting EDTA acid with sodium hydroxide .

· Purification: The crude product is purified to meet food-grade specifications, removing impurities such as heavy metals, chloride, and sulfate .

· Crystallization: The purified product is crystallized as the dihydrate form, then dried and milled into a fine powder

What does EDTA-2Na Food Grade do in a formulation?

• Chelating Agent / Sequestrant: Binds tightly to polyvalent metal ions (Ca²?, Mg²?, Fe³?, Cu²?), forming stable, water-soluble complexes that are rendered inactive .
• Preservative: Prevents microbial growth indirectly by removing essential metal ions that microorganisms need .
• Antioxidant Synergist: Stabilizes antioxidants by removing pro-oxidant metal ions, preventing lipid oxidation and rancidity .
• Color & Flavor Stabilizer: Prevents discoloration and off-flavors caused by metal-catalyzed reactions .
• Texture Enhancer: Maintains firmness in canned vegetables by preventing softening caused by metal ions
• Clarity Agent: Prevents cloudiness and precipitation in beverages caused by metal ions .

Safety Profile:

· General Hazard Classification: Classified with GHS hazard statements H319 (Causes serious eye irritation) . Signal word: Warning . Dust may be irritating to respiratory tract .

· GRAS Status: Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by the U.S. FDA for use in food when used in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practice (21 CFR 172.135) .

· Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) : The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) established an ADI of 0-2.5 mg/kg body weight for EDTA (calcium disodium and disodium salts combined) .

· Concentration Limits: Usage levels vary by food category as per regulations (e.g., GB 2760 in China) :

  · Canned vegetables, pickled vegetables: 0.25 g/kg .

  · Soft drinks: 0.03 g/kg .

  · Salad dressings, sauces: 0.075 g/kg .

  · Jams, fruit preserves: 0.07 g/kg .

· Toxicity: Low acute toxicity. Oral LD50 (rat): 2,000 mg/kg .

· Irritation & Sensitization: Causes serious eye irritation upon direct contact with concentrated powder . May cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals. Dust may irritate respiratory tract .

· Metabolism: In the human body, EDTA is poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and is rapidly excreted unchanged in urine .

· Handling & Storage: Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area (<25°C, RH ≤75%) in tightly sealed containers to prevent moisture absorption . Protect from acids and oxidizing agents. Use dust mask (N95), eye protection, and gloves when handling powder .

· Shelf Life: >24 months when stored properly in sealed containers .

· Regulatory Status: GRAS in the US (21 CFR 172.135). EU permitted as food additive (E386) . Meets FCC, USP/NF, and various pharmacopoeia specifications . Compliant with FDA, EFSA, and JECFA standards

Technical profile: