E919 – Nitrosyl chloride
Flour bleaching agentDescription
Gas used in flour bleaching
Notes
Nitrosyl chloride is a chemical gas compound made up of nitrogen, oxygen, and chlorine atoms. It's produced industrially through chemical processes involving nitric acid and hydrochloric acid, creating a gas that has specific bleaching properties different from other whitening agents. This additive is used specifically in flour treatment to bleach wheat flour, making it whiter and more appealing to consumers who prefer bright white bread and baked goods. The gas treatment also slightly alters the flour's baking properties, potentially improving the texture of final products like bread, cakes, and pastries. As a synthetic chemical treatment, E919 is suitable for vegetarians and vegans since no animal products are involved. However, this additive is not widely used anymore in many countries due to regulatory restrictions and consumer preferences for less chemically processed foods. Many flour producers have moved toward other bleaching methods or simply offer unbleached flour options to meet changing consumer demands.