Hypophosphite is a strong reducing agent, that has been used in the 1850s as a remedy for pulmonary tuberculosis. Hypophosphites were used extensively in pharmaceutical preparations, elixirs, and tonics. Hypophosphite does not appear to have adverse toxicological effects, and the sodium, calcium, and potassium salts are considered GRAS. Hypophosphite use in foods may not be limited to one function. Hypophosphites have been used in foods as antioxidants, stabilizers, meat pickling accelerator, and vegetable protein flow inducer.