Description

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is a clear, colorless, odorless liquid. It’s a combination of hydrogen and oxygen and is available in many strengths (indicated by the percentage of dilution with water). One dilution of hydrogen peroxide is 35 percent H₂O₂ and 65 percent water. Food producers use 35 percent H₂O₂ for a variety of purposes, including processing cheese and bleaching wheat flour. It’s also used to kill microorganisms in food packaging materials.

This 35 percent dilution is called “food grade” in part because it doesn’t contain certain stabilizers:

• acetanilide
• phenol
• sodium stanate
• tetrasodium pyrophosphate

These stabilizers are found in most other commercially available hydrogen peroxide and should not be ingested.No matter the dilution — even if food grade 35 percent H₂O₂ — you should never drink any hydrogen peroxide

Uses 0f 35% Hydrogen Peroxide (Food Grade)

Diluted food grade hydrogen peroxide is often part of dental care products and processes:

• mouthwash
• toothpaste (mixed with baking soda)
• tooth whitening
• toothbrush cleaning

People also use diluted food grade hydrogen peroxide in home food preparation and storage, including:

• vegetable antibacterial wash
• lettuce preservative
• meat or poultry marinade

Diluted with water, it’s also used in food-related home cleaning such as:

• cutting board disinfection
• countertop disinfection
• sponge and dish cloth cleaning
• refrigerator cleaning
• lunchbox disinfection