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What counts as Silicon dioxide – silicates (E…?

2 markets define Silicon dioxide – silicates (E 551–559), and they don't all agree. Read each definition below. You tell us if your product contains it; we never guess from its name.

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Group

Definitions

Market
Definition
Listed members
Source
Additives named by the Part E cell "E 551-559" (Silicon dioxide – silicates); members are the Part B additives in that range
Silicon dioxide, Calcium silicate, Magnesium silicate, Talc, Sodium aluminium silicate, Potassium aluminium silicate, Calcium aluminium silicate (2), Bentonite (3), Aluminium silicate (Kaolin) (2)

From the consolidated text: E 551-559 · Silicon dioxide – silicates · 10 000 · (1) (57) · only foods in dried powdered form (i.e. foods dried during the production process, and mixtures thereof), excluding foods listed in table 1 of Part A of this Annex Period of application: until 31 January 2014

Annex II Part C (GB): E 551 – 559: Silicon dioxide – silicates
Silicon dioxide, Calcium silicate, Magnesium silicate, Talc, Sodium aluminium silicate, Potassium aluminium silicate, Calcium aluminium silicate (2), Aluminium silicate (Kaolin) (2)
“E 551 – 559: Silicon dioxide – silicates”
Annex II, line 781 (excerpt) · fetched 2026-10-10The National Archives (legislation.gov.uk): Annex II, line 781(opens in a new tab)
  • Definition
    Additives named by the Part E cell "E 551-559" (Silicon dioxide – silicates); members are the Part B additives in that range
    Listed members
    Silicon dioxide, Calcium silicate, Magnesium silicate, Talc, Sodium aluminium silicate, Potassium aluminium silicate, Calcium aluminium silicate (2), Bentonite (3), Aluminium silicate (Kaolin) (2)
    Source

    From the consolidated text: E 551-559 · Silicon dioxide – silicates · 10 000 · (1) (57) · only foods in dried powdered form (i.e. foods dried during the production process, and mixtures thereof), excluding foods listed in table 1 of Part A of this Annex Period of application: until 31 January 2014

  • Definition
    Annex II Part C (GB): E 551 – 559: Silicon dioxide – silicates
    Listed members
    Silicon dioxide, Calcium silicate, Magnesium silicate, Talc, Sodium aluminium silicate, Potassium aluminium silicate, Calcium aluminium silicate (2), Aluminium silicate (Kaolin) (2)
    Source
    “E 551 – 559: Silicon dioxide – silicates”
    Annex II, line 781 (excerpt) · fetched 2026-10-10The National Archives (legislation.gov.uk): Annex II, line 781(opens in a new tab)

Rules

Rules that use these definitions

38 rules.

Requirement
Applies when
Effective
Source
LimitEU
Silicon dioxide – silicates (E 551–559) as defined in European Union

Limit 10000 mg/kg (content basis)

The start date is not stated in the text (date unknown).

Consolidated text (not the authentic legal edition), current to 18 Aug 2026. EUR-Lex consolidated text: a documentation tool without legal effect; the acts published in the Official Journal are authentic. Consolidated version CELEX 02008R1333-20260818 from the Publications Office, the latest when read.

  • EU food category: Table-top sweeteners in powder form [11.4.2]

Depends on: eu food category code

Repealed

Art. 35: applies from 20 January 2010; Annex II as consolidated 2026-08-18, amendment dates of single rows not tracked. The row sits in the block marked ▼M7 (inserted or replaced by an amending act); the published text lists the amending acts with their Official Journal publication dates only, not their application dates, so 20 January 2010 (Art. 35) stands in for the row's start date.

From the consolidated text: E 551-559 · Silicon dioxide – silicates · 10 000 · (1) · Period of application: until 31 January 2014

Annex II rows, Part E, category 11.4.2; row: E 551-559 Silicon dioxide – silicates · fetched 2026-10-09

European Commission / Publications Office (CELLAR): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 (consolidated 2026-08-18)(opens in a new tab)
LimitEU
Silicon dioxide – silicates (E 551–559) as defined in European Union

Limit 10000 mg/kg (content basis)

The start date is not stated in the text (date unknown).

Consolidated text (not the authentic legal edition), current to 18 Aug 2026. EUR-Lex consolidated text: a documentation tool without legal effect; the acts published in the Official Journal are authentic. Consolidated version CELEX 02008R1333-20260818 from the Publications Office, the latest when read.

  • EU food category: Salt [12.1.1]

Depends on: eu food category code

Repealed

Art. 35: applies from 20 January 2010; Annex II as consolidated 2026-08-18, amendment dates of single rows not tracked. The row sits in the block marked ▼M7 (inserted or replaced by an amending act); the published text lists the amending acts with their Official Journal publication dates only, not their application dates, so 20 January 2010 (Art. 35) stands in for the row's start date.

From the consolidated text: E 551-559 · Silicon dioxide – silicates · 10 000 · Period of application: until 31 January 2014

Annex II rows, Part E, category 12.1.1; row: E 551-559 Silicon dioxide – silicates · fetched 2026-10-09

European Commission / Publications Office (CELLAR): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 (consolidated 2026-08-18)(opens in a new tab)
LimitEU
Silicon dioxide – silicates (E 551–559) as defined in European Union

Limit 20000 mg/kg (content basis)

The start date is not stated in the text (date unknown).

Consolidated text (not the authentic legal edition), current to 18 Aug 2026. EUR-Lex consolidated text: a documentation tool without legal effect; the acts published in the Official Journal are authentic. Consolidated version CELEX 02008R1333-20260818 from the Publications Office, the latest when read.

  • EU food category: Salt substitutes [12.1.2]

Depends on: eu food category code

Repealed

Art. 35: applies from 20 January 2010; Annex II as consolidated 2026-08-18, amendment dates of single rows not tracked. The row sits in the block marked ▼M7 (inserted or replaced by an amending act); the published text lists the amending acts with their Official Journal publication dates only, not their application dates, so 20 January 2010 (Art. 35) stands in for the row's start date.

From the consolidated text: E 551-559 · Silicon dioxide – silicates · 20 000 · Period of application: until 31 January 2014

Annex II rows, Part E, category 12.1.2; row: E 551-559 Silicon dioxide – silicates · fetched 2026-10-09

European Commission / Publications Office (CELLAR): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 (consolidated 2026-08-18)(opens in a new tab)
LimitEU
Silicon dioxide – silicates (E 551–559) as defined in European Union

Limit 30000 mg/kg (content basis)

The start date is not stated in the text (date unknown).

Consolidated text (not the authentic legal edition), current to 18 Aug 2026. EUR-Lex consolidated text: a documentation tool without legal effect; the acts published in the Official Journal are authentic. Consolidated version CELEX 02008R1333-20260818 from the Publications Office, the latest when read.

  • EU food category: Seasonings and condiments [12.2.2]

Depends on: eu food category code

Repealed

Art. 35: applies from 20 January 2010; Annex II as consolidated 2026-08-18, amendment dates of single rows not tracked. The row sits in the block marked ▼M7 (inserted or replaced by an amending act); the published text lists the amending acts with their Official Journal publication dates only, not their application dates, so 20 January 2010 (Art. 35) stands in for the row's start date.

From the consolidated text: E 551-559 · Silicon dioxide – silicates · 30 000 · (1) · only seasoning Period of application: until 31 January 2014

Annex II rows, Part E, category 12.2.2; row: E 551-559 Silicon dioxide – silicates · fetched 2026-10-09

European Commission / Publications Office (CELLAR): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 (consolidated 2026-08-18)(opens in a new tab)
ConformityGB
Silicon dioxide – silicates (E 551–559) as defined in Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales)

Must meet the conditions of E 551-559 Silicon dioxide – silicates is authorised in food category 0 All categories of foods at quantum satis (no maximum level).

Official text, current to 28 Jun 2024. legislation.gov.uk point-in-time version 2024-06-28 of Annex II, which the FSA register cites as the terms of authorisation (Annex II was omitted from the revised text from 2025-04-01).

Every product in the category

Repealed

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 20 Jan 2010

Applies in GB from 20 January 2010 (retained Art. 35); the Annex text is the version in force on 2024-06-28, the last before Annex II was omitted from the revised legislation on 1 April 2025 (S.I. 2025/361); the FSA register keeps these terms of authorisation. Amendment dates of single rows not tracked.

From the official list: E 551-559 · Silicon dioxide – silicates · quantum satis · (1) · only foods in tablet and coated tablet form, excluding the foods listed in table 1 of Part A of this Annex Period of application: until 31 January 2014

  • LimitEU
    Silicon dioxide – silicates (E 551–559) as defined in European Union

    Limit 10000 mg/kg (content basis)

    The start date is not stated in the text (date unknown).

    Consolidated text (not the authentic legal edition), current to 18 Aug 2026. EUR-Lex consolidated text: a documentation tool without legal effect; the acts published in the Official Journal are authentic. Consolidated version CELEX 02008R1333-20260818 from the Publications Office, the latest when read.

    Applies when
    • EU food category: Table-top sweeteners in powder form [11.4.2]

    Depends on: eu food category code

    Effective
    Repealed

    Art. 35: applies from 20 January 2010; Annex II as consolidated 2026-08-18, amendment dates of single rows not tracked. The row sits in the block marked ▼M7 (inserted or replaced by an amending act); the published text lists the amending acts with their Official Journal publication dates only, not their application dates, so 20 January 2010 (Art. 35) stands in for the row's start date.

    Source

    From the consolidated text: E 551-559 · Silicon dioxide – silicates · 10 000 · (1) · Period of application: until 31 January 2014

    Annex II rows, Part E, category 11.4.2; row: E 551-559 Silicon dioxide – silicates · fetched 2026-10-09

    European Commission / Publications Office (CELLAR): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 (consolidated 2026-08-18)(opens in a new tab)
  • LimitEU
    Silicon dioxide – silicates (E 551–559) as defined in European Union

    Limit 10000 mg/kg (content basis)

    The start date is not stated in the text (date unknown).

    Consolidated text (not the authentic legal edition), current to 18 Aug 2026. EUR-Lex consolidated text: a documentation tool without legal effect; the acts published in the Official Journal are authentic. Consolidated version CELEX 02008R1333-20260818 from the Publications Office, the latest when read.

    Applies when
    • EU food category: Salt [12.1.1]

    Depends on: eu food category code

    Effective
    Repealed

    Art. 35: applies from 20 January 2010; Annex II as consolidated 2026-08-18, amendment dates of single rows not tracked. The row sits in the block marked ▼M7 (inserted or replaced by an amending act); the published text lists the amending acts with their Official Journal publication dates only, not their application dates, so 20 January 2010 (Art. 35) stands in for the row's start date.

    Source

    From the consolidated text: E 551-559 · Silicon dioxide – silicates · 10 000 · Period of application: until 31 January 2014

    Annex II rows, Part E, category 12.1.1; row: E 551-559 Silicon dioxide – silicates · fetched 2026-10-09

    European Commission / Publications Office (CELLAR): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 (consolidated 2026-08-18)(opens in a new tab)
  • LimitEU
    Silicon dioxide – silicates (E 551–559) as defined in European Union

    Limit 20000 mg/kg (content basis)

    The start date is not stated in the text (date unknown).

    Consolidated text (not the authentic legal edition), current to 18 Aug 2026. EUR-Lex consolidated text: a documentation tool without legal effect; the acts published in the Official Journal are authentic. Consolidated version CELEX 02008R1333-20260818 from the Publications Office, the latest when read.

    Applies when
    • EU food category: Salt substitutes [12.1.2]

    Depends on: eu food category code

    Effective
    Repealed

    Art. 35: applies from 20 January 2010; Annex II as consolidated 2026-08-18, amendment dates of single rows not tracked. The row sits in the block marked ▼M7 (inserted or replaced by an amending act); the published text lists the amending acts with their Official Journal publication dates only, not their application dates, so 20 January 2010 (Art. 35) stands in for the row's start date.

    Source

    From the consolidated text: E 551-559 · Silicon dioxide – silicates · 20 000 · Period of application: until 31 January 2014

    Annex II rows, Part E, category 12.1.2; row: E 551-559 Silicon dioxide – silicates · fetched 2026-10-09

    European Commission / Publications Office (CELLAR): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 (consolidated 2026-08-18)(opens in a new tab)
  • LimitEU
    Silicon dioxide – silicates (E 551–559) as defined in European Union

    Limit 30000 mg/kg (content basis)

    The start date is not stated in the text (date unknown).

    Consolidated text (not the authentic legal edition), current to 18 Aug 2026. EUR-Lex consolidated text: a documentation tool without legal effect; the acts published in the Official Journal are authentic. Consolidated version CELEX 02008R1333-20260818 from the Publications Office, the latest when read.

    Applies when
    • EU food category: Seasonings and condiments [12.2.2]

    Depends on: eu food category code

    Effective
    Repealed

    Art. 35: applies from 20 January 2010; Annex II as consolidated 2026-08-18, amendment dates of single rows not tracked. The row sits in the block marked ▼M7 (inserted or replaced by an amending act); the published text lists the amending acts with their Official Journal publication dates only, not their application dates, so 20 January 2010 (Art. 35) stands in for the row's start date.

    Source

    From the consolidated text: E 551-559 · Silicon dioxide – silicates · 30 000 · (1) · only seasoning Period of application: until 31 January 2014

    Annex II rows, Part E, category 12.2.2; row: E 551-559 Silicon dioxide – silicates · fetched 2026-10-09

    European Commission / Publications Office (CELLAR): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 (consolidated 2026-08-18)(opens in a new tab)
  • ConformityGB
    Silicon dioxide – silicates (E 551–559) as defined in Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales)

    Must meet the conditions of E 551-559 Silicon dioxide – silicates is authorised in food category 0 All categories of foods at quantum satis (no maximum level).

    Official text, current to 28 Jun 2024. legislation.gov.uk point-in-time version 2024-06-28 of Annex II, which the FSA register cites as the terms of authorisation (Annex II was omitted from the revised text from 2025-04-01).

    Applies when

    Every product in the category

    Effective
    Repealed

    Applies to products placed on the market on or after 20 Jan 2010

    Applies in GB from 20 January 2010 (retained Art. 35); the Annex text is the version in force on 2024-06-28, the last before Annex II was omitted from the revised legislation on 1 April 2025 (S.I. 2025/361); the FSA register keeps these terms of authorisation. Amendment dates of single rows not tracked.

    Source

    From the official list: E 551-559 · Silicon dioxide – silicates · quantum satis · (1) · only foods in tablet and coated tablet form, excluding the foods listed in table 1 of Part A of this Annex Period of application: until 31 January 2014

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