E520 ALUMINUM SULFATE
E521 ALUMINUM SODIUM SULFATE
E522 ALUMINUM AND POTASSIUM SULFATE
E523 ALUMINUM SULFATE AND AMMONIUM
All these products mentioned above are compounds of synthetic origin derived from aluminum. They come in the form of transparent crystals or white crystalline powder. Easily soluble in water, they are insoluble in ethanol.
They are used to promote protein precipitation, for example during the brewing process. They also help to strengthen the structure of plants during processing.
They can be contained in various foods such as powdered egg white, candied and crystallized fruits and vegetables.
If high doses of aluminum sulphates are consumed, there could be an accumulation of aluminum in the body and kidney and liver problems.
At normal doses, however, it seems to be harmless to human health.
ADI DOSE: 1.0 mg per kg of body weight.
EFSA NOTE 2008
- In view of the tendency of aluminum to accumulate in the body as a result of dietary exposure, the AFC Panel considered it more appropriate to establish a "Tolerable Weekly Intake (TWI)" instead of a "Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) for aluminum. On the basis of the complex of indications emerging from the above studies, the scientific panel established a TWI of 1 mg of aluminum / kg bw / week.
