YenzoWhat is E553a (magnesium silicate)?
E553a is magnesium silicate. In Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT the functions listed for it are anticaking agent.
E553aMagnesium silicates
E553a is magnesium silicate (magnesi silicat). Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT lists the synthetic form (INS 553(i)) with the function anticaking agent.
- Code
- E553a · INS 553a
- 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 E553a appears on labels
IngredientsIllustrative example
Wheat flour, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, anticaking agent (553a), dried onion and garlic, pepper, natural colour (160a).
anticaking agent (553a)anticaking agent 553aE553aINS 553a
INS sub-codes
INS 553(i)Magnesium silicate, synthetic
INS 553(ii)Magnesium trisilicate
Sources: Codex CXG 36-1989, Class Names and the International Numbering System (INS)
Magnesium silicates in food
Dried whey and whey products
Powdered sugar, powdered dextrose
Salt
Salt substitutes
Questions about magnesium silicates
Is magnesium silicate harmful?
In 2018 EFSA concluded that the safety of calcium silicate (E552), magnesium silicate (E553a), magnesium trisilicate and talc (E553b) as food additives cannot be assessed, because reliable data from long-term studies and reproduction studies are lacking. EFSA considered the group ADI set by the SCF in 1991 obsolete. In the food supplement scenario, intake for all population groups was below the maximum daily dose of magnesium trisilicate used as an antacid (4 g/person).
Is magnesium silicate permitted in Vietnam?
In part. The synthetic form, magnesium silicate (INS 553(i)), is listed in Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, the list of additives permitted in food, with the function anticaking agent.
Can children and pregnant women have E553a?
In the EU, silicates E552–E553 are authorised in food category 0 of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008. According to EFSA (2018), this means they are “permitted in all categories of foods excluding foods for infants and young children, except where specifically provided for”. This source has no separate rule for pregnant women. If you have a particular health condition, ask a doctor.
Other anticaking agents
E551Silicon dioxidelowE552Calcium silicatelowE553Magnesium silicates or talc (type not printed)lowE553bTalclowE554Sodium aluminium silicatemoderateE555Potassium aluminium silicatehigh
See all anticaking agents →Updated 22 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:e553a)
- 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 calcium silicate (E 552), magnesium silicate (E 553a(i)), magnesium trisilicate (E 553a(ii)) and talc (E 553b) as food additives