YenzoWhat is E538 (calcium ferrocyanide)?
According to Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, calcium ferrocyanide (INS 538) has the function anticaking agent.
E538Calcium ferrocyanide
E538 is calcium ferrocyanide. In Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT it has the function anticaking agent.
- Code
- E538 · INS 538
- Group
- Anticaking agent
In Vietnam✓ PermittedOn the list of permitted additives — Circular 24/2019, Appendix 1
Risk level on the Yenzo Scalelow?Based on the Open Food Facts additives taxonomy
How E538 appears on labels
IngredientsIllustrative example
Wheat flour, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, anticaking agent (538), dried onion and garlic, pepper, natural colour (160a).
anticaking agent (538)anticaking agent 538E538INS 538On Vietnamese labels: Calci ferrocyanid
Calcium ferrocyanide in food
Salt
Salt substitutes
Condiments
Questions about calcium ferrocyanide
Is calcium ferrocyanide harmful?
In 2018 EFSA set a group ADI of 0.03 mg/kg body weight a day (expressed as the ferrocyanide ion) for sodium, potassium and calcium ferrocyanide, and concluded that this group of substances raises no safety concern at the currently authorised uses and use levels. In the maximum permitted level scenario the highest estimated intake was 0.009 mg/kg body weight a day, in children and adolescents.
Is INS 538 permitted in Vietnam?
Yes. Calcium ferrocyanide (INS 538) is listed in Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, the list of additives permitted in food.
Other anticaking agents
E530Magnesium oxidevery lowE535Sodium ferrocyanidelowE536Potassium ferrocyanidelowE551Silicon dioxidelowE552Calcium silicatelowE553Magnesium silicates or talc (type not printed)low
See all anticaking agents →Updated 21 October 2026
Sources (3)
- Open Food Facts additives taxonomy (Yenzo's table cites no EFSA opinion for this code). Open Food Facts additives taxonomy, https://github.com/openfoodfacts/openfoodfacts-server/blob/main/taxonomies/additives.txt (entry en:e538)
- Thông tư 24/2019/TT-BYT (văn bản hợp nhất 09/VBHN-BYT), Phụ lục 2A: mức sử dụng tối đa phụ gia trong thực phẩm
- EFSA Journal (2018). Re-evaluation of sodium ferrocyanide (E 535), potassium ferrocyanide (E 536) and calcium ferrocyanide (E 538) as food additives