E503 - Ammonium carbonates
By the Daat team · Updated October 30, 2026
E503 is a raising agent for crisp biscuits and crackers. It evaporates completely in the oven.
It breaks down into gases while baking, so none of it stays in the product. It is the secret of extra-crisp biscuits, which is where most of its uses in our catalog are.
How common is it? 2.3% of the products we checked, 383 in all, led by cakes, biscuits and pastries and chocolate and sweets.
E503 at a glance
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Ammonium carbonates |
| Function | Raising agent |
| Origin | Plant, mineral or synthetic |
| Vegan / vegetarian | Yes / Yes |
Is E503 vegan?
Yes. E503 has no animal source, so it suits both vegans and vegetarians.