What is E556?
E556 is Calcium aluminium silicate, a food additive used as an anti-caking agent. Mineral. No longer permitted in UK and EU food.
Also written as: INS 556, E-556, E 556. INS is the international numbering system used outside Europe, including on labels in Asia, Australia and the Middle East.
What to do
No action needed for this additive. Check the rest of the ingredient list, and remember that meat products still need proper halal slaughter.
Is E556 vegetarian or vegan?
Yes. E556 (Calcium aluminium silicate) is normally made from plant, mineral, microbial or synthetic sources, so it is suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
Why we classify it this way
Halal Mineral. No longer permitted in UK and EU food.
Basis: No concern found. Made from plants, minerals, fermentation or synthesis, or from a permitted animal product. Nothing in normal production raises a pork, alcohol, insect or slaughter question.
No external reference is listed for this record yet.
Classification audited 3 November 2026. It has not been reviewed by a scholar. How classifications work · Suggest a correction
Frequently asked questions
Is E556 halal?
E556 (Calcium aluminium silicate) is halal. Mineral. No longer permitted in UK and EU food.
What is E556 made from?
Mineral salt.
What is E556 used for?
E556 is used as an anti-caking agent, typically in salt, powdered drinks, spices, supplements and tablets.
What should I do if a product contains E556?
No action needed for this additive. Check the rest of the ingredient list, and remember that meat products still need proper halal slaughter.
Is E556 vegetarian or vegan?
Yes. E556 (Calcium aluminium silicate) is normally made from plant, mineral, microbial or synthetic sources, so it is suitable for vegetarians and vegans.