YenzoWhat is E503 (ammonium carbonates)?
According to Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, the forms of E503 have the functions raising agent and acidity regulator; the function of each form is on its own row of the appendix.
E503Ammonium carbonates
E503 covers ammonium carbonate (503i) and ammonium hydrogen carbonate (503ii). In Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT these substances have the functions raising agent and acidity regulator.
- Code
- E503 · INS 503
In Vietnam✓ PermittedOn the list of permitted additives — Circular 24/2019, Appendix 1
Risk level on the Yenzo Scalevery low?Based on the Open Food Facts additives taxonomy
How E503 appears on labels
IngredientsIllustrative example
Wheat flour, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, raising agent (503), dried onion and garlic, pepper, natural colour (160a).
raising agent (503)raising agent 503E503INS 503On Vietnamese labels: Amoni carbonat
INS sub-codes
INS 503(i)Ammonium carbonate
INS 503(ii)Ammonium hydrogen carbonate
Sources: Codex CXG 36-1989, Class Names and the International Numbering System (INS)
Questions about ammonium carbonates
Is ammonium carbonate harmful?
The FAO/WHO expert committee JECFA last evaluated ammonium carbonate in 1982 and recorded the ADI as “not specified”, meaning no numerical ADI is needed. This is a JECFA conclusion, not an EFSA one; the JECFA summary gives no intake figures.
Is E503 permitted in Vietnam?
Yes. Ammonium carbonate (ins 503(i)) and ammonium hydrogen carbonate (ins 503(ii)) are all listed in Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, the list of additives permitted in food.
Can children and pregnant women have INS 503?
In the EU, Annex II Part E of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, category 13.1.3 (processed cereal-based foods and baby foods), lists ammonium carbonates (E503): no maximum level (quantum satis), only as rising agent. The text has no separate rule for pregnant women. If you have a particular health condition, ask a doctor.
Other raising agents
E450DiphosphateslowE452PolyphosphateslowE500Sodium carbonatesvery lowE501Potassium carbonatesvery lowE523Aluminium ammonium sulphatemoderateE541Sodium aluminium phosphate, acidicmoderate
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Sources (4)
- Open Food Facts additives taxonomy (Yenzo's table cites no EFSA opinion for this code). Open Food Facts additives taxonomy, https://github.com/openfoodfacts/openfoodfacts-server/blob/main/taxonomies/additives.txt (entry en:e503)
- Thông tư 24/2019/TT-BYT (văn bản hợp nhất 09/VBHN-BYT), Phụ lục 1
- JECFA (FAO/WHO), Summary of Evaluations: Ammonium carbonate (INS 503i)
- Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives, Annex II Part E (consolidated version of 18.08.2026) - 13.1.3 Processed cereal-based foods and baby foods