Foods Containing E553b (Talc)
E553b (Talc) is a mined mineral, used as a anti-caking agent to help stop powders and granules clumping together. Here's where you're most likely to find it on food labels.
Common foods that contain E553b
E553b is used across table salt, spice mixes, powdered drinks, grated cheese and dry mixes. The foods where it appears most often include:
- Table salt
- Spice mixes
- Powdered drinks
- Grated cheese and dry mixes
Exact usage varies by brand and recipe — the only way to know for certain whether a specific product contains E553b is to check its ingredients list, where it must be declared by law, either as "E553b" or as "Talc".
How to spot E553b on a label
In the UK and EU, additives must appear in the ingredients list with their function and either their E-number or full name — for example "anti-caking agents: E553b" or "anti-caking agents: talc". In the US the E-number system isn't used, so look for the full name "Talc" instead.
Should you avoid foods containing E553b?
E553b is approved for use in the EU, UK and US at regulated levels, but some concerns or conditions apply. For most people, normal dietary exposure to E553b is not considered harmful.
Full guide to E553b: safety, vegan and halal status →
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Additive data sourced from Open Food Facts (ODbL licence) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).