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E535 Sodium Ferrocyanide: Food Additive Guide

E535 (Sodium Ferrocyanide) is an approved food additive used as an anti-caking agent in table salt to prevent clumping and ensure free-flowing texture.

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Things worth knowing about "E535"

E535 (Sodium Ferrocyanide) is an approved food additive used as an anti-caking agent in table salt to prevent clumping and ensure free-flowing texture.

What is E535?

E535, known as Sodium Ferrocyanide (chemical name: Sodium Hexacyanoferrate(II)), is an inorganic salt and approved food additive in the European Union. It is primarily used as an anti-caking agent to prevent clumping in table salt and other granular or powdered food products, ensuring they remain free-flowing.

Use in Food Products

E535 is mainly used in the following contexts:

Table salt and salt substitutes: Prevents the formation of lumps under high humidity conditions.
Edible salt products: Ensures a uniform, free-flowing consistency suitable for everyday use.

The maximum permitted level in the EU is 20 mg/kg in the final product. This concentration is considered safe for human consumption.

Chemical Properties

Sodium Ferrocyanide has the chemical formula Na₄[Fe(CN)₆]. Despite the name suggesting a connection to cyanide, E535 is chemically stable in its bound form and does not release free cyanide under normal food conditions. The iron is tightly bound within the ferrocyanide complex, meaning it does not exhibit the toxicity typically associated with cyanide compounds.

Safety and Toxicology

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and other international regulatory bodies have classified E535 as a safe food additive when used within approved maximum levels. Toxicological studies have shown:

E535 is poorly absorbed by the body and is largely excreted unchanged.
No evidence of mutagenicity or carcinogenicity at approved dosage levels.
No relevant risk of cyanide release under normal dietary intake conditions.

At extremely high doses, far exceeding food safety standards, theoretical toxic effects could occur. However, these are not relevant under normal intended use.

Labelling and Consumer Information

In the EU, E535 must be declared on the ingredient list of food products, either as E535 or as Sodium Ferrocyanide. Consumers who wish to avoid food additives may opt for unrefined or additive-free salt, which is labelled accordingly.

Regulatory Status

E535 is authorised in the European Union under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives. The permitted uses and maximum levels are clearly defined within this regulation. Approval status may vary in countries outside the EU.

References

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA): Re-evaluation of sodium ferrocyanide (E 535), potassium ferrocyanide (E 536) and calcium ferrocyanide (E 538) as food additives. EFSA Journal, 2018.
Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on food additives.
WHO Food Additives Series: Toxicological evaluation of certain food additives. Geneva: World Health Organization.

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