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E354 – Magnesium Acetate: Function & Safety

E354 is the EU food additive magnesium acetate, a salt of acetic acid used as an acidity regulator and stabiliser in food products.

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Things worth knowing about "E354"

E354 is the EU food additive magnesium acetate, a salt of acetic acid used as an acidity regulator and stabiliser in food products.

What is E354?

E354 refers to magnesium acetate, the magnesium salt of acetic acid. It is an approved food additive in the European Union, primarily used as an acidity regulator and stabiliser. Magnesium acetate appears as a white, crystalline powder and is readily soluble in water.

Origin and Production

Magnesium acetate is produced through the chemical reaction of magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide, or magnesium carbonate with acetic acid. The resulting salt is available in both anhydrous form and as a tetrahydrate. It is used in both the food industry and pharmaceutical applications.

Function and Use in Food

In the food industry, E354 serves several technological purposes:

Acidity regulator: E354 helps stabilise and control the pH level in food products, thereby improving shelf life and product quality.
Stabiliser: It supports the consistency and texture of food by inhibiting chemical reactions that could lead to undesirable changes.
Buffering agent: Magnesium acetate acts as a buffer, compensating for fluctuations in the acidity of food products.

E354 may be found in various processed foods, beverages, and dietary supplements, provided its use complies with applicable national and EU approval conditions.

Safety and Health Assessment

Magnesium acetate is considered safe when used as intended. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has evaluated magnesium salts, including magnesium acetate. Since both magnesium and acetate are natural components of human metabolism, E354 is readily broken down and utilised by the body.

Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in more than 300 enzymatic reactions in the body.
Acetate (the anion of acetic acid) is a normal metabolic product that is converted into energy by the body.

In cases of excessive consumption, high magnesium intake may cause loose stools or diarrhoea in sensitive individuals. People with impaired kidney function should be cautious about excessive intake of magnesium compounds, as the kidneys are responsible for excreting surplus magnesium.

Labelling and Regulation

In the European Union, E354 is approved as a food additive and must be declared on the label either as E354 or as magnesium acetate in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives. Its use is restricted to specific food categories and maximum permitted levels.

References

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA): Scientific opinions on food additives. efsa.europa.eu
Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on food additives.
WHO Food Additives Series: Safety evaluation of certain food additives. World Health Organization, Geneva.

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