Magnesium chloride
Function: Acidity Regulator
E511 is the European food-additive number for Magnesium chloride, an acidity regulator — used to control and stabilise the pH of a food. Magnesium chloride (E511) is a stabiliser used as a food additive.
What is E511 used for?
Magnesium chloride (E511) is an acidity regulator — used to control and stabilise the pH of a food. It is added during food production for a technological purpose rather than for nutrition.
Is E511 safe or restricted?
E511 is approved for use in the EU but has drawn regulatory attention — its conditions of use or acceptable daily intake have been re-examined by EFSA or equivalent bodies. Forkin classifies it as “Regulatory attention” and does not make health claims. See the methodology for how regulatory levels are assigned.
Frequently asked questions about E511
- What is E511?
- E511 is the E-number for Magnesium chloride, an acidity regulator — used to control and stabilise the pH of a food. Magnesium chloride (E511) is a stabiliser used as a food additive.
- What is E511 used for?
- Magnesium chloride (E511) is an acidity regulator — used to control and stabilise the pH of a food. Manufacturers add it during processing rather than for nutrition. The Forkin app shows which products in your scan history actually contain it.
- Is E511 vegan or vegetarian?
- It depends on the source. Many additives can be produced from plant, mineral, or animal-derived raw materials, and the ingredient list rarely states which was used. The Forkin app shows the verified vegan and vegetarian status per product where it's known, instead of a blanket guess.
- Is E511 safe, and is it banned anywhere?
- E511 is approved for use in the EU but has drawn regulatory attention — its conditions of use or acceptable daily intake have been re-examined by EFSA or equivalent bodies. Forkin classifies it as "Regulatory attention" and does not make health claims — see the methodology page for how regulatory levels are assigned, and the Forkin app for the full profile, including acceptable daily intake (ADI) and restrictions by country.
See the full profile in Forkin
The Forkin app surfaces the full regulatory profile of E511 — acceptable daily intake (ADI), restrictions by country, vegan/vegetarian status, alternative names, and which products in your scan history contain it.