Silicon dioxide
Function: Anti-Caking Agent
E551 is the European food-additive number for Silicon dioxide, an anti-caking agent — keeps powders free-flowing and stops them clumping. Silicon dioxide (E551) is a carrier used as a food additive.
What is E551 used for?
Silicon dioxide (E551) is an anti-caking agent — keeps powders free-flowing and stops them clumping. It is added during food production for a technological purpose rather than for nutrition. See all anti-caking agents (E-numbers).
Is E551 safe or restricted?
E551 is approved for use in the EU. It sits among the additives EFSA keeps under ongoing review as new evidence is published. Forkin classifies it as “Under monitoring” and does not make health claims. See the methodology for how regulatory levels are assigned, or the guide to how EU additives are approved, re-evaluated and banned.
Is E551 vegan or vegetarian?
Silicon dioxide (E551) is typically produced from plant, mineral, or synthetic sources, so it is generally suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
The production source can vary between manufacturers — the Forkin app shows the verified vegan and vegetarian status per product. Always read the label for allergens.
Which foods contain E551?
E551 appears in 9,232 of the 4.7 million products in Forkin's catalogue — most often in protein powder / shake, dietary supplements and instant noodles.
- Protein Powder / Shake716
- Dietary Supplements596
- Instant Noodles432
- Potato Chips331
- Soup180
- Instant Coffee175
- Corn Snacks173
- Seasoning Mix147
Often appears alongside
Additives most frequently found in the same ingredient lists as E551 across the catalogue.
Counts reflect Forkin's independently enriched product catalogue and update as new products are added — they are not a market-share statistic.
Frequently asked questions about E551
- What is E551?
- E551 is the E-number for Silicon dioxide, an anti-caking agent — keeps powders free-flowing and stops them clumping. Silicon dioxide (E551) is a carrier used as a food additive.
- What is E551 used for?
- Silicon dioxide (E551) is an anti-caking agent — keeps powders free-flowing and stops them clumping. Manufacturers add it during processing rather than for nutrition. The Forkin app shows which products in your scan history actually contain it.
- Which foods contain E551?
- E551 appears in 9,232 of the 4.7 million products in Forkin's catalogue — most often in protein powder / shake, dietary supplements and instant noodles. Scan any barcode with the Forkin app to see instantly whether a specific product contains it.
- Is E551 vegan or vegetarian?
- Silicon dioxide (E551) is typically produced from plant, mineral, or synthetic sources, so it is generally suitable for vegans and vegetarians. The Forkin app shows the verified vegan and vegetarian status per product, since the source can vary between manufacturers.
- Is E551 safe, and is it banned anywhere?
- E551 is approved for use in the EU. It sits among the additives EFSA keeps under ongoing review as new evidence is published. Forkin classifies it as "Under monitoring" 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 E551 — acceptable daily intake (ADI), restrictions by country, vegan/vegetarian status, alternative names, and which products in your scan history contain it. See view pricing.