YenzoWhat is E520 (aluminium sulphate)?
E520 is aluminium sulphate, INS number 520.
E520Aluminium sulphate
E520 is aluminium sulphate. Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT has no row for INS 520 in Appendix 1, the list of additives permitted in food.
Did you know? According to EFSA (2018), aluminium sulphate is authorised in the EU in only two food categories: candied cherries (E520–E523, up to 200 mg/kg expressed as aluminium) and liquid egg white for egg foams (E520 only, up to 25 mg/kg expressed as aluminium).
- Code
- E520 · INS 520
- Group
- Firming agent
In Vietnam✕ Not permitted in VietnamNot on Vietnam's list of permitted additives (Circular 24/2019); it may be used only in a product whose declaration is registered with the Vietnam Food Administration
Risk level on the Yenzo Scalehigh?Because it is not permitted in Vietnam; by the scientific evaluations alone: moderate
EFSA (2008) found that intake in some population groups can exceed the tolerable weekly intake (TWI); the EU therefore cut the maximum use levels and removed some of these additives (Regulation (EU) 380/2012). This is what puts it at the middle level of the Yenzo Scale.
How E520 appears on labels
IngredientsIllustrative example
Wheat flour, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, firming agent (520), dried onion and garlic, pepper, natural colour (160a).
firming agent (520)firming agent 520E520INS 520
Aluminium sulphate in food
Candied cherries
Liquid egg white for egg foams
Questions about aluminium sulphate
Is aluminium sulphate harmful?
In 2018 EFSA concluded that the aluminium sulphates (E520–E523) are of no safety concern in the current authorised uses and use levels. EFSA noted that they are permitted only in a few specific products, so real exposure is most probably near zero.
Is E520 permitted in Vietnam?
It was not found. Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT (consolidated text 09/VBHN-BYT), the list of additives permitted in food, has no row with INS 520, and neither does Appendix 2B.
Can children and pregnant women have INS 520?
In 2018 EFSA estimated exposure to aluminium from this group of additives (E520–E523, E541) by age group. In a highly conservative scenario based on the maximum permitted levels, mean exposure in toddlers and children exceeded the TWI of 1 mg aluminium/kg body weight per week. However, because these additives are only authorised in niche products, EFSA considered the estimates highly uncertain and the real exposure most probably near zero, and concluded there is no safety concern at the current authorised uses and use levels. EFSA's conclusions do not single out pregnant women. If you have a particular health condition, ask a doctor.
Other firming agents
E516Calcium sulphatevery lowE518Magnesium sulphatevery lowE521Aluminium sodium sulphatehighE522Aluminium potassium sulphatehighE523Aluminium ammonium sulphatemoderateE526Calcium hydroxidevery low
See all firming agents →Updated 21 October 2026
Sources (4)
- Commission Regulation (EU) No 380/2012 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 as regards the conditions of use and the use levels for aluminium-containing food additives, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2012/380/oj. EFSA Journal: Safety of aluminium from dietary intake (2008): tolerable weekly intake 1 mg/kg bw.
- Thông tư 24/2019/TT-BYT (văn bản hợp nhất 09/VBHN-BYT), Phụ lục 1
- EFSA Journal (2018). Re-evaluation of aluminium sulphates (E 520-523) and sodium aluminium phosphate (E 541) as food additives
- Codex CAC/GL 36-1989 (Rev. 2008, Amd. 2015), Section 3: INS 520 Aluminium sulfate