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E504 Magnesium Carbonate – Food Additive Explained

E504 is the EU food additive magnesium carbonate, used as an acidity regulator, anticaking agent, and raising agent in various food products.

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Things worth knowing about "E504"

E504 is the EU food additive magnesium carbonate, used as an acidity regulator, anticaking agent, and raising agent in various food products.

What is E504?

E504 is the designation for the food additive magnesium carbonate, an inorganic salt composed of magnesium and carbonic acid. It is approved for use in the European Union and several other countries as a functional food ingredient. Magnesium carbonate occurs naturally as the mineral magnesite and is either synthetically produced or derived from natural sources for food-grade applications.

Functions and Applications

E504 serves multiple technological purposes in food production:

Acidity regulator: Magnesium carbonate can stabilize and mildly buffer the pH level of food products, giving them a slightly alkaline character.
Anticaking agent: E504 prevents powdered or granulated foods such as salt, spice blends, and cocoa powder from clumping together, improving flowability and shelf life.
Raising agent: When heated, magnesium carbonate releases carbon dioxide, which helps baked goods rise and achieve a lighter texture.
Color stabilizer: In certain applications, E504 may be used to help preserve the color of food products.

Common food categories in which E504 is used include baked goods, cocoa-based products, table salt, seasoning blends, dietary supplements, and chewing gum.

Safety and Health Assessment

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has evaluated E504 and confirmed it is safe for human consumption at levels used in food. Magnesium carbonate is poorly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and is largely excreted unchanged. At typical dietary intake levels, E504 is considered safe and non-toxic.

One known effect of ingesting larger amounts of magnesium carbonate is a laxative effect, as magnesium compounds can stimulate intestinal motility. However, this is generally not a concern at the small quantities found in food products.

Individuals with impaired kidney function should exercise caution regarding elevated magnesium intake in general, since the kidneys are responsible for excreting excess magnesium from the body.

Magnesium Carbonate as a Magnesium Source

In addition to its role as a food additive, magnesium carbonate is also used in dietary supplements as a source of magnesium, an essential mineral involved in more than 300 enzymatic reactions in the body, including energy metabolism, muscle and nerve function, and bone health. The bioavailability of magnesium from magnesium carbonate is considered relatively low compared to organic magnesium compounds such as magnesium citrate or magnesium glycinate.

Labeling and Regulation

Under the EU Food Additives Regulation (Regulation (EC) No. 1333/2008), E504 must be declared in the ingredient list of food products either as E504 or as magnesium carbonate. Maximum permitted levels vary depending on the food category in which it is used.

References

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA): Re-evaluation of magnesium carbonate (E 504) as a food additive. EFSA Journal, 2018.
European Union: Regulation (EC) No. 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on food additives.
World Health Organization (WHO) / FAO: Compendium of Food Additive Specifications – Magnesium Carbonate. JECFA Monographs.

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