Thickener · EU 511
Magnesium Chloride
FDA status: Approved. EU: Approved. No U.S. state has enacted a specific ban yet.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Magnesium Chloride is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it independently of federal policy. Its composite safety score is 3 out of 5 (Mixed Evidence), and the European Union separately classifies it as approved. By tracked product count it ranks #153 of 417.
- #153 of 417 by tracked product prevalence
The verdict
Magnesium Chloride is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it. By Open Food Facts product count it sits #153 of 417 among additives with tracked product presence (63rd percentile).
- 3/5
- Mixed Evidence
- Approved
- FDA status
- #153 of 417
- product-prevalence rank
- 0
- state regulations
Product-footprint and regulatory snapshot
Magnesium Chloride: 60 tracked U.S. products (moderate band, #153 of 417) frame how often this additive appears on shelves.
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Tracked Products | 60 · #153 of 417 | Open Food Facts (US) |
| FDA Status | Approved | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Approved | EC 1333/2008 |
| E-Number | 511 | EU additive register |
| CAS Number | - | CAS Registry |
| Category | Thickener | FDA functional class |
| Composite Safety Score | 3 / 5 (Mixed Evidence) | PlainIngredients methodology |
| EFSA ADI | Not established | EFSA scientific opinion |
| U.S. State Actions | 0 states | State legislative records |
Values reflect official agency classifications as published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Union's regulatory framework. See our methodology for scoring details.
What is Magnesium Chloride?
Magnesium Chloride is a food additive (511) classified as thickener.
Health Concerns
- EFSA evaluation: Re‐evaluation of hydrochloric acid -E 507-, potassium chloride -E 508-, calcium chloride -E 509- and magnesium chloride -E 511- as food additives. EFSA overexposure risk: moderate
Common Uses
Shelf-footprint peer axes
Nationwide peers for a moderate OFF footprint
Nearest OFF product-count peers (60 tracked here); safety-score column omitted on prevalence-led pages.
Nearest OFF product count to 60
Nearest other additives by Open Food Facts product count (floored at ≥50).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Magnesium Chloride safe to consume?
Magnesium Chloride scores 3/5 (Mixed Evidence). FDA status is Approved. On the Open Food Facts U.S. sample it is a moderate additive (60 tracked products, #153 of 417), so product footprint, not just the score label, frames how widely a shopper will meet it.
What is Magnesium Chloride used for in food?
Magnesium Chloride shows up as Sauces, soups, dairy products, baked goods in the Thickener class, and the OFF sample puts it in the moderate footprint band (60 products).
Where does Magnesium Chloride sit among food additives PlainIngredients tracks?
Among additives with at least one tracked product, it ranks #153 of 417 by Open Food Facts product count. See /methodology#corpus-placement for the ranking bases.
What health concerns are associated with Magnesium Chloride?
Research has identified the following health concerns for Magnesium Chloride: EFSA evaluation: Re‐evaluation of hydrochloric acid -E 507-, potassium chloride -E 508-, calcium chloride -E 509- and magnesium chloride -E 511- as food additives. EFSA overexposure risk: moderate. These findings inform its safety score of 3/5. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance, especially if you have pre-existing conditions.