Zinc Silicate (E557): What It Is and Is It Safe?
Zinc silicate is an insoluble mineral silicate used as an anti-caking agent in powdered foods. Silicate minerals are poorly absorbed from the gut and biologically inert at food levels, though the zinc content means intake contributes marginally to total zinc. The additive was removed from the EU authorised list in 2012 for lack of continued technological justification rather than for a safety concern.
- Category
- Anti-Caking Agent — Anti-caking agent
- Typically used in
- Powdered and dry foods as an anti-caking agent.
- Regulatory status
- Removed from the EU list of authorised food additives by Commission Regulation EU No 380/2012; not authorised as a food additive in the EU or UK.
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Products containing Zinc Silicate
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