Vegan. Silicon dioxide (E551), also called silica, is a mineral found in nature as quartz, so it is vegan. It is used as an anti-caking agent to keep powders free-flowing.
Silicon dioxide is sand, essentially, added to keep powders from clumping. There is nothing animal about a mineral.
What it isA mineral (silica / quartz)
E numberE551
VerdictVegan
Where it hides
Powdered and granulated foods
Spice blends and salt
Supplements and tablets
Coffee whiteners
What it is
Silicon dioxide is one of the most common minerals on Earth, and the food-grade version is a fine powder that stops other powders clumping.
Primary source 01 / 01
Silicon dioxide, also known as silica, is an oxide of silicon with the chemical formula SiO2, and is commonly found in nature as quartz.
As an anti-caking agent in spice blends, powdered supplements and coffee whiteners, silicon dioxide is doing a purely physical job, and because it is a mineral it carries no animal origin. It is vegan.
MaltodextrinMaltodextrin is processed plant starch, a bland filler and bulking agent. Corn, wheat or tapioca in, white powder out, no animal step.
Calcium carbonate (chalk, E170)Calcium carbonate is chalk, essentially, quarried from rock to firm, whiten and fortify. It is a mineral, so it sits on the vegan side, with a rare shell-derived footnote.
Bone phosphate (E542)Bone phosphate, additive E542, is exactly what it sounds like. It is ground animal bone, used as an anti-caking agent and a mineral source.
Frequently asked
Is E551 vegan?
Yes. E551 is silicon dioxide, a mineral, so it is vegan.
What does silicon dioxide do in food?
It is an anti-caking agent, keeping powders and granulated products free-flowing so they do not clump. It is a mineral and vegan.
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