Food additive databaseprocessing agentChecked 2026-10-02

Potassium Hydroxide (Caustic Potash) 水酸化カリウム（別名カセイカリ）

Designated additivePermitted in the EU (E525)

Purpose: processing agent
On the label: “水酸化カリウム” (potassium hydroxide), “水酸化K” (potassium hydroxide, abbreviated) (labeling is exempt when it counts as a processing aid)
Name in the List of Designated Additives: 水酸化カリウム（別名カセイカリ） (No. 232)

In Japan

A strong alkali, used as a manufacturing agent in food production processes.
Under the standards for use, it must be neutralized or removed before the final food is completed.
If it counts as a processing aid that does not remain in the final food, labeling is exempt. When written by substance name, the abbreviated name is “水酸化K” (potassium hydroxide, abbreviated).

Japan's standards for use

Must be neutralized or removed before the final food is completed

This is a summary of the standards for use. See the source list for the exact conditions.

In the EU

It is on the EU list of food additives (Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II) as E525.

Sources

Checked 2026-10-02. Rules and evaluations change over time. This page is a translation of our Japanese page; if they differ, the Japanese page is the reference.

This page lists facts stated in laws and in evaluations by public bodies; it is not a safety verdict. Additives used in Japan are approved by the government, which sets the foods and amounts they can be used in. The ADI is a guide to the amount that is considered safe to take every day over a lifetime.

Other substances used as processing agent

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