Magnesium silicate

Magnesium silicate and magnesium trisilicate (meerschaum) are derivatives of silicon dioxide (E 551). They are produced synthetically. The resulting insoluble crystals are soft and can be easily ground into a very fine powder. In the human intestine, the substance is not absorbed but excreted unchanged.

The substance is approved in the EU under the number E 553a as a food additive with maximum limits of 10g/kg for certain foods. Like calcium silicate (E 552), magneisum silicate is used as a separating agent or carrier substance (for dyes and emulsifiers).

The use of magnesium silicates is essentially the same as for silica. These include: powdered food, cheese products (both sliced and grated), seasonings, table salt.