Synthetic magnesium silicate
Function: Thickeners
E553AI is the European food-additive number for Synthetic magnesium silicate, a thickener — used to increase viscosity and give body to a food. Synthetic magnesium silicate (E553ai) is a thickener used as a food additive.
What is E553AI used for?
Synthetic magnesium silicate (E553AI) is a thickener — used to increase viscosity and give body to a food. It is added during food production for a technological purpose rather than for nutrition. See all Thickeners (E-numbers).
Is E553AI safe or restricted?
E553AI is an approved food additive in the EU and currently carries no special regulatory restrictions in the EU additive register. Forkin classifies it as “No known concern” and does not make health claims. See the methodology for how regulatory levels are assigned, or the guide to how EU additives are approved, re-evaluated and banned.
Is E553AI vegan or vegetarian?
Synthetic magnesium silicate (E553AI) is typically produced from plant, mineral, or synthetic sources, so it is generally suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
The production source can vary between manufacturers — the Forkin app shows product-specific vegan and vegetarian signals where available, based on ingredient and label data. Always read the label for allergens.
Frequently asked questions about E553AI
- What is E553AI?
- E553AI is the E-number for Synthetic magnesium silicate, a thickener — used to increase viscosity and give body to a food. Synthetic magnesium silicate (E553ai) is a thickener used as a food additive.
- What is E553AI used for?
- Synthetic magnesium silicate (E553AI) is a thickener — used to increase viscosity and give body to a food. Manufacturers add it during processing rather than for nutrition. The Forkin app shows which products in your scan history actually contain it.
- Is E553AI vegan or vegetarian?
- Synthetic magnesium silicate (E553AI) is typically produced from plant, mineral, or synthetic sources, so it is generally suitable for vegans and vegetarians. The Forkin app shows product-specific vegan and vegetarian signals where available, based on ingredient and label data, since the source can vary between manufacturers.
- Is E553AI safe, and is it banned anywhere?
- E553AI is an approved food additive in the EU and currently carries no special regulatory restrictions in the EU additive register. Forkin classifies it as ‘No known concern’ and does not make health claims — see the methodology page for how regulatory levels are assigned, and the Forkin app for the full profile, including acceptable daily intake (ADI) and restrictions by country.
See the full profile in Forkin
The Forkin app surfaces the full regulatory profile of E553AI — acceptable daily intake (ADI), restrictions by country, vegan and vegetarian status, alternative names, and which products in your scan history contain it. See view pricing.