E504 - Magnesium Carbonates

Author: Dean Rouseberg Time for reading: ~1 minutes Last Updated: January 27, 2026

CHAPTERS (Table Of Contents)

Characteristic: The food additive E 504 is a mass of white free and crumbling particles or bulky white powder, which has no characteristic odor. Magnesium carbonate decomposes at a temperature of o

Characteristic

Food additive E 504 is a mass of white free and crumbling particles or a bulky white powder that has no characteristic odor. Magnesium carbonate decomposes at a temperature of 400 C, is insoluble in water and ethanol. It is found in nature in some minerals, such as magnesite.

Use

The use of E 504 in the food industry is widespread. It is added to chocolate and cocoa products, to ripened cheese, to powdered milk and cream, to granulated sugar, to dextrose powder as an agent that prevents the formation of lumps and hardening. It is often added to canned fruits, jams, jam to thicken plant tissue. Magnesium carbonate is also often used in table salt to avoid lumps.

Apart from the food industry, the additive is used in cosmetics, in particular in face masks, due to its gentle astringent properties. Weightlifters, bodybuilders, gymnasts and climbers use magnesium carbonate powder to quickly dry their hands. The substance is also added to fire extinguishers, can be found in toothpastes, seals and insulations.

Impact on humans

Magnesium carbonate is non-toxic. However, the addition of large amounts in foods can lead to depression, to various disorders of the heart. In addition, the entry of E 504 into the respiratory system leads to irritation of the respiratory tract, as well as the digestive tract, gastric disorders and diarrhea are possible. Often the food supplement is a cause of irritation of the mucous membranes and skin.

E504 - Magnesium Carbonates

CHAPTERS (Table Of Contents)

Characteristic

Use

Impact on humans

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