E342 – Ammonium phosphate
Acidity regulatorDescription
White crystalline powder or granules
Notes
Ammonium phosphates are white crystalline compounds created by combining ammonia (a nitrogen compound) with phosphoric acid, which comes from phosphate rock. The manufacturing process involves carefully mixing these ingredients under controlled conditions to create different types of ammonium phosphate salts. Think of it as creating a specialized mineral powder that contains both nitrogen and phosphorus - two elements that are essential nutrients. In food production, ammonium phosphates serve as yeast nutrients and leavening agents, helping bread and baked goods rise properly. The yeast in bread dough feeds on these compounds, which helps the fermentation process work more effectively and creates better texture in the finished product. You'll commonly find this additive in commercial breads, rolls, pizza dough, and other yeast-based baked goods. This additive is synthetically produced in factories rather than extracted from natural sources. It's suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets since it contains no animal-derived ingredients, and it doesn't present concerns for most religious dietary laws. The amounts used in food are regulated and considered safe for consumption, as both ammonium and phosphates are substances that occur naturally in our bodies and many foods.