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E521Anti-caking agentModerate concern

Aluminium Sodium Sulfate

In plain words

The short version

SAS — a baking-powder acid component, now restricted in EU because of aluminium-load concerns.

Why we flag it amber

It's permitted and generally considered safe, but there are a few reasons to be mindful — like sensitivities in some people, debated studies, or intake limits. The Safety section below explains the specifics.

Safety

Safety profile

EFSA (2008) set a tolerable weekly intake (TWI) of 1 mg/kg body weight per week for aluminium; JECFA (2011) set a provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) of 2 mg/kg body weight for aluminium compounds, expressed as aluminium. Same EFSA re-evaluation concerns as E520 — the more soluble aluminium forms contribute more to absorbed aluminium than insoluble or metallic forms.

The detail

Sources

  1. EUR-Lex — Commission Regulation (EU) No 380/2012 of 3 May 2012 on aluminium-containing food additives (new E 520–523 conditions apply from 1 February 2014) — European Union (EUR-Lex), 2012. From 2014 E 520–523 only in candied cherries; EFSA TWI 1 mg/kg bw/week (recital 2)
  2. EUR-Lex — Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives, consolidated text of 18.08.2026 (Annex II) — European Union (EUR-Lex), 2026. E 521 is covered only through the E 520–523 aluminium sulphates group (candied cherries)
  3. WHO JECFA database — Aluminium (aluminium compounds), PTWI 2 mg/kg bw, evaluation 2011 — Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), 2011. JECFA PTWI of 2 mg/kg bw for aluminium compounds including aluminium-containing additives
  4. eCFR — 21 CFR 182.1131 Aluminum sodium sulfate (GRAS) — U.S. Government Publishing Office / FDA (eCFR). US GRAS status under good manufacturing practice (no specific use categories)

Checked against these sources on .

Educational information only. Not medical, dietary or veterinary advice. Spotted an error? Tell us.