Sodium Aluminium Silicate
The short version
A common US salt anti-cake — restricted in the EU since 2014 because of aluminium concerns.
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 profile
JECFA has not set a numerical ADI: it keeps an ADI 'not specified' for silicon dioxide and certain silicates, including this one, and applies its provisional tolerable weekly intake of 2 mg/kg body weight for total aluminium (2011), which covers all aluminium compounds in food, including additives. EFSA (2008) set a tolerable weekly intake for aluminium of 1 mg/kg body weight per week. The crystalline aluminosilicate is largely non-absorbed in the gut; the absorbable aluminium fraction (varying by particle size and pH) is the regulatory concern. EU restricted its use in 2014 — US permission continues.
Sources
- JECFA database: Sodium aluminium silicate (INS 554), evaluations 1985–2017 — WHO / FAO Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives, 2017. ADI 'not specified'; PTWI 2 mg/kg bw for total aluminium
- Commission Regulation (EU) No 380/2012 of 3 May 2012 on the conditions of use and use levels of aluminium-containing food additives — European Commission (EUR-Lex), 2012. EFSA 2008 TWI 1 mg/kg bw/week; EU restriction applying from 1 February 2014
- Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, consolidated text of 18.08.2026: current E 554 conditions — EUR-Lex, 2026. Current narrow EU use of E 554
- 21 CFR 182.2727 Sodium aluminosilicate (GRAS anticaking agent), CFR 2025 edition — US Government Publishing Office (govinfo), 2025. US GRAS status, up to 2%
Checked against these sources on .
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