Food additive Sodium hexametaphosphate

Sodium Hexametaphosphate (SHMP) is a Tech Grade Phosphate and Agricultural Grade Phosphate.
SHMP is a hexamer of composition (NaPO3)6. Sodium hexametaphosphate of commerce is typically a mixture of polymeric metaphosphates, of which the hexamer is one, and is usually the compound referred to by this name. It is more correctly termed sodium polymetaphosphate.

Sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) is a white crystalline powder that is widely used in the food industry as a sequestrant, emulsifier, and thickening agent. It is also used in Water Treatment, detergents, and as a dispersant in oil drilling.

In the food industry, SHMP is used to prevent the formation of mineral deposits and to improve the texture of processed foods such as cheese, meat, and canned fruits and vegetables. It is also used to increase the shelf life of processed foods by preventing oxidation and microbial growth.

In water treatment, SHMP is used to prevent the formation of scale and corrosion in boilers, cooling towers, and other industrial equipment. It is also used as a dispersant to prevent the buildup of solids in wastewater treatment systems.

SHMP is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is approved for use in food and beverage products. However, excessive consumption of SHMP may cause gastrointestinal disturbances. Therefore, it is important to follow the recommended dosage and use levels.