FDA Status
Approved
Magnesium Chloride (511) is a thickener additive holding a composite safety score of 3 out of 5 (Mixed Evidence). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration currently classifies it as Approved, while the European Union lists it as Approved. This ingredient appears in approximately 60 tracked food products across our database. It is most commonly used as Sauces, soups, dairy products, baked goods.
No U.S. state has enacted specific legislation targeting Magnesium Chloride to date, keeping federal FDA classification as the operative standard. State-level food safety legislation remains active nationally, and that picture may shift as new bills advance.
Peer-reviewed research has flagged 1 distinct area of health concern for Magnesium Chloride, which factors directly into the assigned safety score. The European Food Safety Authority has published an evaluation dated 2019/07/06. EFSA has noted an overexposure risk classification of "moderate" for typical consumption patterns. All figures above draw on FDA SAFFA inventory records, EU food additive regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, EFSA scientific opinions where published, and legislative records from individual U.S. states.
Regulatory Snapshot
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Tracked Products | 60 | Open Food Facts (US) |
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.
3.0 / 5
Composite Safety Mixed Evidence
Safety Score: 3 out of 5
Safety Rating 60.0%
EU Status
Approved
511
U.S. State Regulations
0 states
None enacted
Safety Assessment
Magnesium Chloride receives a safety score of 3/5 (Mixed Evidence) based on a composite analysis of FDA regulatory status, EU approval, scientific literature on health effects, and state-level legislative actions. The FDA has approved Magnesium Chloride for use in food products under specified conditions.
Research has identified 1 area of health concern associated with Magnesium Chloride. Consumers with specific health conditions should consult a healthcare provider before consuming products containing this ingredient.
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
Sauces, soups, dairy products, baked goods
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Magnesium Chloride safe to consume?
Magnesium Chloride has a safety score of 3/5 (Mixed Evidence). It is approved by the FDA for use in food. As with all food additives, moderation is advisable.
What is Magnesium Chloride used for in food?
Magnesium Chloride is commonly used as: Sauces, soups, dairy products, baked goods. It belongs to the Thickener category of food additives.
Is Magnesium Chloride banned in any US states?
Currently, no US states have enacted specific bans or regulations targeting Magnesium Chloride. However, state food safety legislation is evolving rapidly.
What is the difference between FDA and EU regulation of Magnesium Chloride?
The FDA classifies Magnesium Chloride as "Approved", while the EU status is "Approved" (511). The FDA and EU use separate evaluation frameworks — the EU often applies the precautionary principle, sometimes banning additives that remain approved in the US. Always check both jurisdictions when evaluating food additive safety.
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.
How is the safety score for Magnesium Chloride calculated?
The safety score of 3/5 for Magnesium Chloride is a composite assessment based on FDA regulatory status, EU approval status, published scientific research on health effects, and state-level legislative actions. A score of 1 means "Banned / Avoid" and 5 means "Generally Safe." The score is updated as new regulatory actions or scientific evidence emerge.
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Related Data Sources
Data Sources
- FDA Substances Added to Food (SAFFA) Inventory
- EU Food Additive Regulations (EC) No 1333/2008
- State food safety legislation and bill records
Related Resources
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
Data sourced from official EWG, FDA GRAS, and ingredient toxicology databases. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainIngredients Editorial