How Do You Use Food-Grade Hydrogen Peroxide?

Medically reviewed by Melissa Nieves, LND

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is a clear and somewhat acidic liquid made up of two oxygen and two hydrogen atoms.  Food-grade hydrogen peroxide refers to 35% concentrated hydrogen peroxide. It’s known as “food-grade” because it doesn’t contain particular stabilizers that are harmful if ingested.

Food-grade hydrogen peroxide is used as a bleaching agent in certain foods, an active ingredient in dental products, and to clean produce and disinfect household surfaces. Some people claim that it can be used as a form of alternative medicine, but it’s highly dangerous to consume.

This article will go over the most common uses of food-grade hydrogen peroxide, as well as safety tips, potential health complications, and how to dilute it before use.

Food-Grade Hydrogen Peroxide vs. Regular Hydrogen Peroxide

You’re probably most familiar with 3% hydrogen peroxide, which is sold over-the-counter (OTC) in a highly diluted form as an antiseptic to clean minor wounds. At 35% concentration, food-grade hydrogen peroxide is far stronger than regular hydrogen peroxide.

What Is Food-Grade Hydrogen Peroxide Used For?

Food-grade hydrogen peroxide, or 35% hydrogen peroxide, can be used as a disinfectant for household surfaces and items, as well as produce and plants. It’s also used in dental products. In food, it can be used as a bleaching or oxidizing agent or as an adhesive during the manufacturing process.

Cleaning Produce and Plants

Food-grade hydrogen peroxide is an effective fungicide and algicide, meaning that it kills fungi, mold, and algae and prevents them from spreading. It’s often used by gardeners, farmers, and agricultural growers to clean plants. It can be applied on a small scale (like household plants) or in a commercial setting.

Some people use diluted food-grade hydrogen peroxide to soak their fruits and vegetables before eating, as well as to make them last longer.

Disinfectant

Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful disinfectant. In its food-grade form, it’s used in household and commercial cleaning products to disinfect hard surfaces, including those that might touch your food, such as refrigerators, sponges, and countertops.

Due to its antimicrobial properties, diluted food-grade hydrogen peroxide is even used in healthcare settings to sterilize medical equipment, such as ventilators.

Dental Products

Diluted food-grade hydrogen peroxide is found in many dental products. These include tooth whitening products, such as gels and strips, as well as mouthwashes and toothpastes. It’s also an active ingredient in many products used to clean toothbrushes and other oral health equipment.

Processing and Preserving Food

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recognizes food-grade hydrogen peroxide as a safe food additive when used as an adhesive or bleaching agent. For example, it’s used as part of the cheese-making process, as well as to bleach bread flour and certain kinds of seafood and beef.

When Isn’t Food-Grade Hydrogen Peroxide Safe?

In recent years, some proponents of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) have promoted food-grade hydrogen peroxide as a remedy for a variety of medical purposes.

For example, some people advocate using 35% hydrogen peroxide as a skin soak for conditions like corns and calluses or an ear wash for ear infections. Others believe that food-grade hydrogen peroxide can be used as a mouth rinse to treat viral infections, such as COVID-19 or the flu.

Some people have tried to use food-grade hydrogen peroxide in hyperoxygenation therapy, a treatment based on the idea that medical problems are caused by a lack of circulating oxygen in the body. It has been said to be used for serious conditions like cancer, AIDS, and emphysema.

However, these ideas are not backed by clinical evidence. Exposure to food-grade hydrogen peroxide can lead to skin irritation and inflammation. Meanwhile, ingesting 35% hydrogen peroxide can cause serious health complications such as ulcers, neurological problems, or irritation of the gastrointestinal tract. In some cases, it can lead to critical or fatal side effects, such as gas embolism.

How to Dilute Food-Grade Hydrogen Peroxide

Food-grade hydrogen peroxide is extremely strong, so it needs to be diluted before use. The ratio for food-grade hydrogen peroxide is typically 11 parts water to 1 part 35% hydrogen peroxide. This creates a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution.

People who dilute food-grade hydrogen peroxide for at-home use, such as gardeners, recommend following these steps:

• Put on rubber gloves.

• Fill up a 30 milliliter (mL) glass or plastic bottle with food-grade hydrogen peroxide.

• Empty the 30 mL bottle into a 500 mL bottle.

• Fill up the 30 mL bottle with distilled water.

• Pour the 30 mL bottle of water into the 500 mL bottle.

• Repeat this 11 times.

• Seal the bottle and store it in the fridge.

Summary

Food-grade hydrogen peroxide refers to hydrogen peroxide in its 35% concentrated form. It’s used as a bleaching agent and adhesive for certain foods, such as cheese and flour. Additionally, it’s an active ingredient in some oral health and cleaning products, especially those used to clean plants and produce.

Some people claim that 35% hydrogen peroxide can be used in alternative home remedies for various conditions. However, these claims are unsubstantiated. Consuming food-grade hydrogen peroxide can lead to serious and even fatal side effects. If you’ve ingested food-grade hydrogen peroxide, you should seek medical help right away.

Read the original article on Verywell Health.