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Disodium EDTA

Disodium EDTA suppliers and sourcing guide

Disodium EDTA is the disodium salt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, a synthetic chelating agent that binds calcium, magnesium, iron and other metal ions. It is made industrially from ethylenediamine, formaldehyde and sodium cyanide, which gives tetrasodium EDTA, then partly acidified and crystallized as the dihydrate. It is a white crystalline powder. Brands buy USP, EP or FCC grade dihydrate and use it at low levels in shampoos, creams, cleansers and some foods.

See suppliersWhat to ask for on the COA
Also known as
Edetate disodium · Disodium edetate · Disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate · CAS 139-33-3 · CAS 6381-92-6 (dihydrate)
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of disodium EDTA

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

  • Dihydrate, USP / EP / FCC

    Compendial or food-grade crystalline powder; the usual form for cosmetics, drugs and foods.

  • Technical or cosmetic grade

    Lower-cost material for personal care only, with a supplier specification instead of a compendial one.

  • Tetrasodium EDTA

    The fully neutralized salt, sold as powder or solution and used in higher-pH products such as soaps; a separate ingredient on the label.

  • Calcium disodium EDTA

    The calcium salt used mainly in foods; a separate ingredient with its own regulations.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

Assay
Disodium EDTA dihydrate by complexometric titration, typically against a 99% minimum.
Identity
Infrared spectrum and sodium identity tests.
pH
pH of a 5% solution, which confirms the disodium salt rather than another EDTA salt.
Nitrilotriacetic acid
Limit test for NTA, a manufacturing impurity, by HPLC or the compendial method.
Iron and heavy metals
Iron, lead and other metals by ICP-OES or ICP-MS.
Loss on drying
Water content consistent with the dihydrate.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Store disodium EDTA sealed in a dry place at room temperature; it is stable but can cake if it takes up moisture. Avoid contact with reactive metals in solution storage, since EDTA solutions draw metal ions from containers. Shelf life follows the supplier's retest date, with the assay repeated on older stock.

Lots and expiry dates

Lots are consistent when made to a compendial grade; record the assay, NTA result and grade for each lot. Confirm that deliveries are the disodium salt and not tetrasodium EDTA, since the two are easy to confuse and change product pH.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

  • 21 CFR 172.135 permits disodium EDTA as a food additive in designated foods at prescribed levels, and requires a minimum of 99 percent disodium EDTA dihydrate.

    Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)

  • Health Canada's Natural Health Products Ingredients Database lists disodium EDTA with non-medicinal purposes including chelating agent and antimicrobial preservative, and a restriction that nitrilotriacetic acid should not exceed 0.1%.

    Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)

  • Health Canada's List of Permitted Sequestering Agents permits disodium EDTA as a sequestering agent in listed foods, such as aqueous color lake preparations for coating confectionery tablets at 1% of the color preparation.

    Source: canada.ca (opens in a new tab)

This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.

Disodium EDTA suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking disodium EDTA suppliers now

Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.

Sell disodium EDTA? Request a listing

Frequently asked questions

What forms of disodium EDTA can brands buy?

Common forms include dihydrate, USP / EP / FCC, technical or cosmetic grade, tetrasodium EDTA and calcium disodium EDTA. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for disodium EDTA include?

Expect assay, identity, pH, nitrilotriacetic acid, iron and heavy metals and loss on drying, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should disodium EDTA be stored?

Store disodium EDTA sealed in a dry place at room temperature; it is stable but can cake if it takes up moisture. Avoid contact with reactive metals in solution storage, since EDTA solutions draw metal ions from containers. Shelf life follows the supplier's retest date, with the assay repeated on older stock.

What is the regulatory status of disodium EDTA?

21 CFR 172.135 permits disodium EDTA as a food additive in designated foods at prescribed levels, and requires a minimum of 99 percent disodium EDTA dihydrate. Health Canada's Natural Health Products Ingredients Database lists disodium EDTA with non-medicinal purposes including chelating agent and antimicrobial preservative, and a restriction that nitrilotriacetic acid should not exceed 0.1%. Health Canada's List of Permitted Sequestering Agents permits disodium EDTA as a sequestering agent in listed foods, such as aqueous color lake preparations for coating confectionery tablets at 1% of the color preparation.

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