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E556 – Calcium Aluminium Silicate: Uses and Safety

E556 (calcium aluminium silicate) is an approved food additive used as an anticaking agent and release agent in powdered food products.

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Things worth knowing about "E556"

E556 (calcium aluminium silicate) is an approved food additive used as an anticaking agent and release agent in powdered food products.

What is E556?

E556, also known as calcium aluminium silicate, is an inorganic compound used in the food industry as an anticaking agent and release agent. It is a salt of silicic acid containing calcium and aluminium ions. Under the E-number 556, this substance is approved for specific applications within the European Union.

Use in Food Products

E556 is primarily used in powdered food products to prevent particles from clumping together and to maintain the free-flowing properties of the product. Typical applications include:

Table salt and salt substitutes
Spice blends and seasoning powders
Dry soups and bouillon powders
Baking powder and other baking aids
Milk powder and cream substitutes

Mechanism of Action

As an anticaking agent, calcium aluminium silicate works by coating the surface of powder particles, thereby preventing the absorption of moisture from the surrounding air. This is achieved through the hydrophobic properties of the silicate structure, which minimises water uptake. As a result, powdered products remain free-flowing even under conditions of high humidity.

Safety and Health Assessment

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has evaluated E556. Due to concerns about aluminium intake in humans, EFSA concluded in its re-evaluations of aluminium-containing food additives that the tolerable weekly intake (TWI) for aluminium is 1 mg per kilogram of body weight. Excessive aluminium intake has been associated with adverse effects on the nervous system and bone health.

Within the European Union, E556 is only permitted in specific food categories and at defined maximum levels. Consumers who wish to reduce their aluminium intake may choose products that do not contain this additive.

Labelling and Regulation

According to European food additive legislation (EU Regulation No. 1333/2008), E556 must be declared in the ingredient list of a food product, either by its E-number or by the name calcium aluminium silicate. Regulations in countries outside the EU may differ.

Alternatives

Alternatives to E556 that do not contain aluminium are commonly used, including:

E551 – Silicon dioxide
E552 – Calcium silicate
E553 – Magnesium silicate / Talc
E341 – Calcium phosphates

References

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA): Re-evaluation of calcium aluminium silicate (E 556) as a food additive. EFSA Journal, 2018.
European Union: Regulation (EC) No. 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on food additives.
World Health Organization (WHO) / FAO: Compendium of Food Additive Specifications – Calcium Aluminium Silicate. JECFA Monographs.

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