YenzoWhat is E553b (talc)?
E553b is talc. In Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT the functions listed for it are anticaking agent, glazing agent and thickener.
E553bTalc
E553b is talc (bột talc). In Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT (INS 553(iii)) its function is anticaking agent, glazing agent and thickener.
Did you know? Talc is a naturally occurring mineral. According to EFSA (citing IARC 1997), talc deposits are found in several countries, including China, the United States, India, Brazil and France; food-grade talc is a white mineral powder made by grinding mined talc.
- Code
- E553b · INS 553b
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 E553b appears on labels
IngredientsIllustrative example
Wheat flour, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, anticaking agent (553b), dried onion and garlic, pepper, natural colour (160a).
anticaking agent (553b)anticaking agent 553bE553bINS 553b
INS sub-codes
INS 553(iii)Talc
Sources: Codex CXG 36-1989, Class Names and the International Numbering System (INS)
Talc in food
Dried whey and whey products
Salt substitutes
Questions about talc
Is talc 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 talc permitted in Vietnam?
Yes. Talc (INS 553(iii)) is listed in Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, the list of additives permitted in food, with the function anticaking agent, glazing agent and thickener.
Can children and pregnant women have E553b?
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)lowE553aMagnesium silicateslowE554Sodium aluminium silicatemoderateE555Potassium aluminium silicatehigh
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:e553b)
- 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