InfoCons Consumer Protection Explains : Food Additive E551 and the Importance of Prevention Through Informed Choices

InfoCons Consumer Protection Explains : Food Additive E551 and the Importance of Prevention Through Informed Choices

The food additive E551, silicon dioxide, is an anti-caking substance used for clarification and stabilization. Silicon dioxide represents the chemical formula of a group of inorganic polymers, in which each silicon atom is surrounded by four oxygen atoms arranged tetrahedrally. The average stoichiometric composition of the compound is SiO₂.

The IUPAC name is silicon dioxide. It is also known as silicon oxide, aerosil, silica, or silicon bioxide. The molecular weight of silicon dioxide is 60.6 g/mol.

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What Does E551 (Silicon Dioxide) Do?

• Prevents caking: Absorbs moisture from foods, keeping them free-flowing and in powder form (e.g., powdered sugar, salt, spices).

• Improves texture: Helps ensure uniform distribution of ingredients.

• Role: May also act as a clarification or stabilization agent.

Where Is E551 Found?

Due to its wide industrial applications, silicon dioxide is also used in:

• Medicines,

• Dietary supplements,

• Printer toners,

• Varnishes,

• Plastics,

• Cosmetics, including toothpaste,

• Insecticides,

• Acaricides,

• Biomedical applications, and

• Cleaning products.

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Which Foods Contain the Food Additive E551?

Silicon dioxide (E551) can be found in the following foods and ingredients:

• Infant formulas, follow-on formulas, processed cereal-based foods, and foods for infants and young children; these may contain E414 (acacia gum, gum arabic) and E551 (silicon dioxide), resulting from the addition of nutritional preparations containing up to 150 g/kg of E414 and 10 g/kg of E551, as well as E421 (mannitol) used as a carrier for vitamin B12 (at least one part vitamin B12 per 1,000 parts mannitol);

• Flavourings (maximum permitted dose: 50 g/kg);

• Dehydrated food powders (including sugars) – 10 g/kg;

• Emulsifiers and colourings – maximum 5%;

• Dehydrated cereals – 2 g/kg;

• Matured cheese, including the rind;

• Dried whey and whey products, except whey cheeses – 10,000 mg/kg;

• Powdered sugar and powdered dextrose – 15,000 mg/kg;

• Salt and salt substitutes;

• Complementary foods for infants and young children – 2,000 mg/kg;

• Coffee, coffee substitutes, tea, herbal infusions, other hot cereal beverages, except cocoa;

• Food additives where a carrier substance may be added: emulsifiers and colourings, quantum satis;

• Colour preparations in dry powder form – 50,000 mg/kg in the preparation;

• Emulsifier preparations in powder form – 50,000 mg/kg in the preparation;

• Polyol preparations in dry powder form – 10,000 mg/kg in the preparation;

• All flavourings – 10 mg/kg in flavourings;

• Preparations in dry powder form from all nutrients – 50,000 mg/kg (individually or in combination);

• Food additives, including carrier substances in food enzymes – 50,000 mg/kg in dry powder preparations.

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Where Is Silicon Dioxide Found in Nature? How Is It Obtained?

Silicon dioxide is the most abundant mineral in the Earth’s crust, as sand is composed mainly of silica. It occurs naturally in three forms: crystalline, polymorphic, and various amorphous or microcrystalline forms.

Silicon occurs in combination within gemstones:

• Silicon dioxide (SiO₂) in amorphous form is common sand, while crystallized in a trigonal system it is known as quartz, amethyst, onyx, etc.;

• Hydrated SiO₂ forms opal;

• Quartz is a widely distributed gemstone in the Earth’s crust with the chemical formula SiO₂. Depending on formation conditions (temperature, pressure, presence of foreign ions), quartz has multiple varieties, some of which are coloured;

• Agate and onyx are minerals containing 90–96% SiO₂ with numerous inclusions; agate appears in pastel colours (yellow, pink, brown arranged successively), while onyx features alternating concentric layers of black and white.

Silicon dioxide is obtained by acidifying an aqueous solution of sodium silicate. An unstable silicic acid forms, which releases water and creates a colloidal solution from which hydrated SiO₂ precipitates. The substance appears as translucent granules or as a powder with a porous surface and pores of various sizes. After drying, it contains approximately 4% water. The absorption capacity of silica gel varies depending on the method of production, the concentration of the solution from which it precipitated, the reaction temperature, and the pH of the washing water.