YenzoWhat is E525 (potassium hydroxide)?
According to Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, potassium hydroxide (INS 525) has the function acidity regulator.
E525Potassium hydroxide
E525 is potassium hydroxide. In Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT it has the function acidity regulator.
- Code
- E525 · INS 525
- Group
- Acidity regulator
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 E525 appears on labels
IngredientsIllustrative example
Wheat flour, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, acidity regulator (525), dried onion and garlic, pepper, natural colour (160a).
acidity regulator (525)acidity regulator 525E525INS 525On Vietnamese labels: Kali hydroxyd
Questions about potassium hydroxide
Is potassium hydroxide harmful?
The FAO/WHO expert committee JECFA last evaluated potassium hydroxide in 1965 and recorded the ADI as “not limited”. This is a JECFA conclusion, not an EFSA one; the JECFA summary gives no intake figures.
Is E525 permitted in Vietnam?
Yes. Potassium hydroxide (INS 525) is listed in Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, the list of additives permitted in food.
Can children and pregnant women have INS 525?
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 potassium hydroxide (E525): no maximum level (quantum satis), only processed cereal-based foods and baby foods, only for pH adjustment. The text has no separate rule for pregnant women. If you have a particular health condition, ask a doctor.
Other acidity regulators
E523Aluminium ammonium sulphatemoderateE524Sodium hydroxidevery lowE526Calcium hydroxidevery lowE527Ammonium hydroxidevery lowE528Magnesium hydroxidevery lowE529Calcium oxidevery low
See all acidity regulators →Updated 21 October 2026
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:e525)
- Thông tư 24/2019/TT-BYT (văn bản hợp nhất 09/VBHN-BYT), Phụ lục 1
- JECFA (FAO/WHO), Summary of Evaluations: Potassium hydroxide (INS 525)
- 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