What is sodium acid pyrophosphate?

Sodium acid pyrosphosphate is a water-soluble chemical used in the food industry to prevent rapid changes in the acidity of a solution when other acids or bases are added. Also known as disodium pyrophosphate, it is used to enhance the ionic bonding capabilities of a molecule in a preferred direction.

Sodium acid pyrosphosphate is widely used in the food industry to maintain the attractive color of canned foods, as a catalyst in chemical conversions and as a lightening agent in potatoes. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration maintains that disodium pyrophosphate does not present a health risk at present levels or foreseeable levels of use.