E523 Aluminium Sulphate – Food Additive
E523 is the EU food additive code for aluminium sulphate, used as a firming agent and stabiliser in certain foods, subject to strict regulatory limits in the European Union.
Things worth knowing about "E523"
E523 is the EU food additive code for aluminium sulphate, used as a firming agent and stabiliser in certain foods, subject to strict regulatory limits in the European Union.
What is E523 (Aluminium Sulphate)?
E523 is the European Union designation for aluminium sulphate (also spelled aluminum sulfate), an inorganic compound formed from aluminium and sulphuric acid. As a food additive, it is classified as a firming agent and stabiliser. It appears as a white to colourless crystalline powder that dissolves readily in water.
Chemical Properties
Aluminium sulphate has the chemical formula Al₂(SO₄)₃. It is an aluminium salt of sulphuric acid and produces a mildly acidic solution when dissolved in water. In food applications, it is typically used in its anhydrous form or as a hydrate.
Use in Food
Within the European Union, the use of E523 in food is highly restricted. Under EU Regulation (EC) No. 1333/2008, E523 is only permitted in a limited number of specific food categories, including:
- Candied, crystallised, or glazed fruits and vegetables
- Certain preserved vegetables (e.g. pickled products)
- Cocoa powder and chocolate mixes in specific applications
Its technological function is to maintain the firmness and texture of food products and to act as a stabiliser. Outside of food, aluminium sulphate is widely used in water treatment, paper manufacturing, and the textile industry.
Health Assessment and Safety
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has repeatedly evaluated aluminium compounds in food. In 2008, EFSA established a tolerable weekly intake (TWI) for aluminium of 1 mg per kg of body weight per week. Since aluminium enters the diet through many different sources -- naturally occurring in foods, drinking water, cookware, and other additives such as E173, E520--E523, E541, and E554--E559 -- EFSA recommends keeping total aluminium intake as low as reasonably possible.
Research suggests that chronically elevated aluminium intake may be associated with adverse effects on the nervous system and bone health, although the risk to the general population under normal dietary conditions is considered low. Particular caution is advised for the following groups:
- Infants and young children (higher relative intake per body weight)
- Individuals with impaired kidney function (reduced aluminium excretion)
- Persons with elevated aluminium exposure through occupation or environment
Regulatory Status in the EU
In the EU, E523 is listed and authorised as a food additive under Regulation (EC) No. 1333/2008, but subject to strict maximum permitted levels. In recent years, the EU has progressively tightened restrictions on the use of aluminium-containing food additives in order to reduce the overall dietary aluminium intake of the population.
Labelling and Consumer Transparency
When E523 is used in a food product, it must be declared in the ingredients list either as E523 or as aluminium sulphate. Consumers who wish to minimise their exposure to aluminium compounds are advised to carefully read the ingredient labels of processed food products.
References
- European Food Safety Authority (EFSA): Safety of aluminium from dietary intake -- Scientific Opinion. EFSA Journal 2008;6(7):754. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2008.754
- Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on food additives. Official Journal of the European Union.
- WHO/FAO Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA): Aluminium (addendum). In: Safety evaluation of certain food additives and contaminants. WHO Food Additives Series, No. 52. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2007.
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