E558 Bentonite – Food Additive Explained
E558 is the European food additive number for bentonite, a natural clay mineral. It is used as a clarifying and filtering aid, primarily in winemaking and beverage production.
Things worth knowing about "E558"
E558 is the European food additive number for bentonite, a natural clay mineral. It is used as a clarifying and filtering aid, primarily in winemaking and beverage production.
What is E558 (Bentonite)?
E558 is the European approval number for bentonite, a naturally occurring layered silicate clay mineral composed primarily of montmorillonite. It is derived from volcanic rock and has a pronounced capacity for swelling and adsorption. In the food industry, bentonite is primarily used as a clarifying and filtering aid as well as a carrier substance.
Origin and Composition
Bentonite is formed through the weathering of volcanic ash and consists mainly of the clay mineral montmorillonite. It is found in large deposits worldwide, with significant sources in the USA, Germany, China, and Greece. The mineral has a characteristic ability to swell considerably in water, forming a gel-like consistency. Due to its large surface area and electrical charge, it can bind proteins, tannins, and other substances, removing them from liquids.
Use as a Food Additive
Application in Winemaking
The most important application of bentonite in the food industry is in winemaking. It is used to remove unstable proteins from grape must and wine that would otherwise cause unwanted cloudiness. This process is known as fining. Bentonite is soaked in water until swollen and then added to the wine, where it binds the proteins and settles as sediment, which is subsequently filtered out.
Further Applications
Beyond winemaking, bentonite is also used in:
- Clarification of fruit juices and other beverages
- As a carrier substance for flavors and other additives
- In beer production for stabilization purposes
- As a filtering aid in edible oil production
Safety and Regulatory Status
Bentonite is approved as a food additive in the European Union under the number E558. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has classified bentonite as safe, as it is not significantly absorbed by the body and is considered a processing aid when used as intended. Since bentonite is removed from most products before the final stage, only minimal residues remain in the food. It is generally considered well tolerated, although very high amounts could theoretically affect the absorption of certain minerals.
Labeling
Since bentonite is typically used as a processing aid and no longer performs a technological function in the final product, it does not need to be declared in the ingredient list in many cases. However, in wine products it may be relevant for vegetarian or vegan certifications, as it can bind animal-derived proteins during fining.
References
- European Food Safety Authority (EFSA): Re-evaluation of bentonite (E 558) as a food additive. EFSA Journal, 2019.
- Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on food additives.
- Buxaderas, S. & Lopez-Tamames, E.: Sparkling Wines: Features and Trends from Bottling. Advances in Food and Nutrition Research, 2012.
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