Ingredient Information

Function

Sodium hexmetaphosphate is a food additive that is used as a curing agent, emulsifier and sequestrate. Cheese, cured meats, sour creams, yogurts, packaged vegetables, ice-creams, seafood, gelatin desserts and milk-based beverages all use this compound. It is also works as an emulsifying agent and a buffer in dough and flour mixes.

Other Use and Industries

Sodium hexametaphophate found in chewing gum helps in whitening teeth and preventing stain formation.

Sodium hexametaphosphate is used as a dispersing agent in various soil types and clay.

It is used as a water softening agent in detergents and washing sodas, and as a diffusing agent in paper making, textile-dyeing and fabric printing.

Health Effects

Overdose of sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) can lead to kidney damage, mild to severe gastrointestinal tract irritation, nausea and diarrhea. Also, the compound sticks to calcium ions, while acting as a sequestering agent, which may pose a threat to those suffering from kidney stones.

SHMP is used in the pharmaceutical industry in order to treat sleeping sickness, otherwise known as leishamaniosis, a disease caused by the protozoan parasite injected into the skin by the sandfly.

Those who are pregnant or have heart disease or diabetes should limit consumption of sodium hexametaphosphate due to its sodium content.

Origins

Sodium hexametaphosphate is an odorless, high-density, white powder. It is available in glass plates, granular and powdered form. SHMP is produced by melting monosodium orthophosphate and cooling it rapidly, resulting in a hydrolyzed form in aqueous solution.