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Sodium carbonate

Sodium carbonate suppliers and sourcing guide

Sodium carbonate is an alkaline inorganic salt, a white powder or granule. It is produced from trona ore that is calcined and purified, or synthesized from salt and limestone by the Solvay process. Food brands buy it as an alkali for noodles and ramen, cocoa processing and pH adjustment, and it is also used in bath products, cleaning products and as a raw material for other sodium salts.

See suppliersWhat to ask for on the COA
Also known as
Soda ash · Washing soda · E500(i) · CAS 497-19-8
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of sodium carbonate

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

  • Dense soda ash

    Larger, heavier granules with less dust, common in industrial use.

  • Light soda ash

    Fine, low-density powder used in dry blends.

  • Monohydrate and decahydrate

    Hydrated forms with lower sodium carbonate content per kilogram; the decahydrate is known as washing soda.

  • Food grade (FCC)

    Material tested to the Food Chemicals Codex for food use, alongside technical grades from the same plants.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

Assay (titration)
Sodium carbonate content by acid titration, on an anhydrous basis.
Loss on heating
Water content, which identifies the hydrate and affects dose.
Insoluble matter
Undissolved residue in water.
Chloride, sulfate and iron
Impurities carried over from ore or process.
Heavy metals
Lead, arsenic and other metals by ICP-MS or ICP-OES against the supplier's specification or the Food Chemicals Codex (FCC) limits.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Keep sodium carbonate sealed in lined bags in a dry place; it absorbs moisture and carbon dioxide from air and can cake. Store away from acids. Shelf life follows the supplier's specification, and older stock is retested for assay and moisture.

Lots and expiry dates

Record the grade (food or technical), form (dense, light or hydrate) and assay for each lot, since a technical-grade lot must not end up in food. Reseal part-used bags right away.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.

Sodium carbonate suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking sodium carbonate suppliers now

Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.

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Frequently asked questions

What forms of sodium carbonate can brands buy?

Common forms include dense soda ash, light soda ash, monohydrate and decahydrate and food grade (FCC). Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for sodium carbonate include?

Expect assay (titration), loss on heating, insoluble matter, chloride, sulfate and iron and heavy metals, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should sodium carbonate be stored?

Keep sodium carbonate sealed in lined bags in a dry place; it absorbs moisture and carbon dioxide from air and can cake. Store away from acids. Shelf life follows the supplier's specification, and older stock is retested for assay and moisture.

What is the regulatory status of sodium carbonate?

21 CFR 184.1742 affirms sodium carbonate as GRAS for use in food with no limitation other than current good manufacturing practice. 7 CFR 205.605(a) lists sodium carbonate among the nonsynthetic substances allowed in or on processed products labeled organic. Health Canada's List of Permitted Acidity Regulators and Acid-Reacting Materials includes sodium carbonate.

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