Magnesium chloride (E511)
- Food Fine
What is Magnesium chloride (E511)?
Magnesium chloride (E511) is a mineral salt used to set tofu and firm foods. Normal amounts are not a concern, and it isn't linked to DNA damage or cancer. It's fine; only large supplement or laxative doses cause stomach upsets.
What is Yasno’s verdict on Magnesium chloride?
Yasno’s verdict on Magnesium chloride: Fine. No meaningful concern at normal amounts.
Is Magnesium chloride allowed in the EU?
EU status of Magnesium chloride: Permitted as a food additive. Conditions and limits come from the regulation cited below. Yasno summarises them and does not replace the legal text.
| Where | EU | US |
|---|---|---|
| Food | Permitted as a food additive | Regulated as a food additive by the US FDA |
What else is it called?
- Magnesium chloride anhydrous
- Magnesium dichloride
- MgCl2
Sources
- EU Food Additives Register — POL-FAD-IMPORT-3208, European Commission (DG SANTE), 2011
- EFSA’s 2019 re-evaluation of chlorides, European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), 2019
- Tolerable Upper Intake Levels for Vitamins and Minerals, European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), 2006
- Magnesium chloride, Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), 2026
Always check the physical label. Yasno describes evidence and regulatory status. It never says a product is free of an allergen or safe for you, and it is not medical advice.
Yasno reads the whole label from a photo and explains every ingredient like this. It is coming soon to the App Store.