Thickener · EU 553a
Synthetic Magnesium Silicate
FDA status: Approved. EU: Approved. No U.S. state has enacted a specific ban yet.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Synthetic Magnesium Silicate is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it independently of federal policy. Its composite safety score is 4 out of 5 (Low Risk), and the European Union separately classifies it as approved.
The verdict
Synthetic Magnesium Silicate is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it.
- 4/5
- Low Risk
- Approved
- FDA status
- Approved
- EU status
- 0
- state regulations
E-number regulatory snapshot
Synthetic Magnesium Silicate: no OFF product match; EU code 553a is the standout identifier.
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| E-Number | 553a | EU additive register |
| FDA Status | Approved | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Approved | EC 1333/2008 |
| CAS Number | - | CAS Registry |
| Category | Thickener | FDA functional class |
| Composite Safety Score | 4 / 5 (Low Risk) | PlainIngredients methodology |
| EFSA ADI | Not established | EFSA scientific opinion |
| U.S. State Actions | 0 states | State legislative records |
| Tracked Products | Not yet tracked | 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.
What is Synthetic Magnesium Silicate?
Synthetic Magnesium Silicate is a food additive (553a) classified as thickener.
Common Uses
Catalog-profile peer axes
Nationwide catalog-profile peers for Synthetic Magnesium Silicate
Product-count (0) and safety-score (4/5) peer columns, disjoint link sets.
Score 4/5 peers (≥50 OFF products)
Nearest other additives by PlainIngredients safety score (floored at ≥50 tracked products), distinct from the count row.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Synthetic Magnesium Silicate safe to consume?
Synthetic Magnesium Silicate scores 4/5 (Low Risk). FDA status is Approved. No OFF product match yet; EU additive code 553a is the standout identifier on this row.
What is Synthetic Magnesium Silicate used for in food?
Synthetic Magnesium Silicate (553a) is catalogued for Sauces, soups, dairy products, baked goods; treat uses as SAFFA class, not shelf count.