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E512AntioxidantLow concern
Stannous Chloride
In plain words
The short version
A tin salt used as an antioxidant to keep canned white asparagus and similar pale vegetables from discolouring.
Why it's green
It's widely considered safe at the amounts used in food, so we mark it green. The Safety section below has the details.
Safety profile
JECFA has set a provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) for tin of 14 mg/kg body weight (set in 1988, maintained in 2000), which covers tin from food-additive uses such as stannous chloride. Used at low levels; excess tin can cause gastrointestinal upset.
The detail
Tin(II) chloride, made from tin and hydrochloric acid.
Antioxidant and colour-retention agent — its main food use is keeping canned white asparagus (and some other pale canned vegetables) from discolouring.
White crystals, water-soluble, a strong reducing agent (mops up oxygen).
In the EU, permitted only in canned or bottled white asparagus (up to 25 mg/kg as tin). In the US it is GRAS as an antioxidant, up to 0.0015% as tin.
Sources
- JECFA database — Stannous chloride (INS 512) — WHO / Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives, 2000. JECFA uses a PTWI of 14 mg/kg bw for tin (incl. stannous chloride), not an ADI; gastric irritation at high tin levels
- 21 CFR 184.1845 — Stannous chloride (anhydrous and dihydrated) — US eCFR (FDA). US: GRAS antioxidant, max 0.0015% as tin
- Commission Regulation (EU) No 1129/2011 — Union list of food additives (Annex II to Reg. 1333/2008) — Publications Office of the EU (Official Journal), 2011. EU: only white asparagus (canned/bottled), 25 mg/kg as Sn
Checked against these sources on .
Educational information only. Not medical, dietary or veterinary advice. Spotted an error? Tell us.