Yes, food grade STPP is a multiple purpose ingredient that is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) when used in food in accordance with good manufacturing practice by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (2).

Also, the safety of STPP has been approved by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and it is an authorized food additive in the European Union (EU) and can be used as a carrier in the preparations of the colour anthocyanins, also applied in the salted fish of the Gadidae family (3), as well as by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) as a sequestrant, texturizer, and thickener. (4)

However, some consumers think it is bad for our health as it is a chemical used in detergents that cannot be eaten, and along with other possible side effects, such as allergy reactions.

Conclusion
Now you may have a good knowledge of the food additive – Sodium Tripolyphosphate (E451i, STPP), from production, uses in fish and meat, approved safety, possible side effects and so on.

Have you noticed this ingredient in the fish shops and seafood restaurants, or in the labels of other kinds of food packagings? Let me know in the comments.

http://www.chinafooding.com/Sodium_tripolyphosphate-STPP