1. What Is Soda Ash Light?

Soda ash light, or sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃), is an alkaline inorganic compound widely used in the food industry as a pH adjuster and buffering agent. In its food-grade form, soda ash is highly pure and free from contaminants like heavy metals or harmful chemicals..

According to Tradeasia’s Soda Ash Light product page, food-grade soda ash is used in sensitive applications such as food and beverage production and sugar refining. (Tradeasia - Soda Ash Light).

Journal (Mónica et al., 2025), recognizes sodium carbonate as food additive E500(i), safe for consumption within set limits.

2. Why It's Used in Food Processing

Soda ash is valued in food processing for its pH regulation and buffering capacity. It is used in the production of noodles, baking powder, chocolate, and dairy to balance acidity..

Tradeasia’s (Blog food additives asia - sodium-bicarbonate-preservation) highlights its role in fermentation and vegetable processing.

External sources like Food Insight confirm its widespread and safe usage, provided the product meets food-grade standards.

3. Food-Grade Certification and Standards

To be used in food, soda ash must meet food-grade certifications such as FCC (Food Chemical Codex), JECFA (FAO/WHO), and ISO 22000. Tradeasia provides full documentation like COA and MSDS with every shipment (Tradeasia Technical Library).

Food-grade soda ash typically exceeds 99% purity, has a white powder texture, and is free of harmful substances. The FDA categorizes sodium carbonate as Generally Recognized As Safe (FDA GRAS Regulation)

4. Regulatory Compliance Across Regions

The safety of soda ash in food is upheld by regulatory bodies worldwide, including:

Tradeasia’s regulatory compliance overview explains that their food-grade soda ash meets local requirements across over 20 countries.

According to the Codex GSFA Online, sodium carbonate is approved as additive E500(i), with usage limits depending on the food type.

5. Common Applications in Food Manufacturing

Key applications of food-grade soda ash include:

Tradeasia’s applications page notes widespread use in Asia and the Middle East.

A study from the Journal of Food Engineering highlights sodium carbonate’s role in flavor development and pH balancing in fermentation processes.

6. Tradeasia’s Role in Safe Supply

As a global chemical distributor, Tradeasia International supplies high-purity food-grade soda ash in bulk and containerized formats to food manufacturers across Southeast Asia, India, and Africa.

Tradeasia also offers technical support, additive audits, and quality assurance. Learn more from the About page.

With over 20 years in the industry, Tradeasia ensures its sodium carbonate meets the needs of food-grade applications with consistency and safety.

7. Conclusion: Why Purity Matters

Using soda ash light in food is safe if it complies with international food-grade standards. Not all sodium carbonate is suitable for food—choosing a reputable supplier is essential.

Tradeasia International offers certified soda ash with complete documentation and high purity, making them a reliable long-term partner for food manufacturers demanding safety, quality, and traceability.

Ready to source food-grade soda ash?

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Reference :

- Jesus, Mónica, et al. "Impact of Food Additives (Sodium Carbonate and Ammonium Bicarbonate) on Interactions Between Astringent Compounds and an Oral Cell Model." Food Chemistry, vol. 467, 2025, p. 142337. ScienceDirect, doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.142337.
-  https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/journal-of-food-engineering

-  https://www.fao.org/gsfaonline/additives/details.html?id=254

-   https://foodinsight.org