Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormPowder
Industry PositionFood Additive (Anti-caking agent)
Market
In Vietnam, calcium silicate (INS 552) is relevant as an anti-caking food additive used in dry, powder-based food categories where anti-caking functionality is permitted and technically justified. Vietnam’s Ministry of Health regulates food additives via Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT (as updated/ consolidated) and links market access to permitted-additive lists, food-group permissions, and maximum use levels aligned in part with Codex GSFA. Food additives distributed domestically generally require product self-declaration under Decree 15/2018/ND-CP, supported by a recent food-safety test report, with documentation handled in Vietnamese. Practical buyer requirements commonly include batch COA demonstrating conformity to JECFA/Codex specifications and impurity controls for food-grade material.
Market RoleDomestic industrial ingredient market (regulated food additive; domestic production vs. import supply not confirmed)
Domestic RoleB2B processing aid/ingredient for Vietnamese food manufacturers to prevent caking and improve flow in dry powders (e.g., salt, herbs/spices, dairy powders) within permitted categories and use levels
Specification
Physical Attributes- Very fine white/off-white powder with low bulk density and high physical water adsorption.
- Insoluble in water and ethanol.
Compositional Metrics- CAS 1344-95-2; INS 552.
- Food-grade specifications are defined in FAO JECFA monographs and include physicochemical tests (e.g., loss on drying/ignition, pH slurry) and impurity controls (e.g., metals/arsenic-related specifications).
- JECFA evaluation includes an ADI 'not specified' for calcium silicate within a group ADI context for certain silicates.
Grades- Food-grade meeting FAO/WHO JECFA specifications (FAO JECFA Monographs) and fit-for-purpose for the intended food category/use level.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Producer (food-grade) → exporter → Vietnam importer → product self-declaration/registration (as applicable) → B2B ingredient distributor → food manufacturer formulation/blending → finished foods distributed domestically
Temperature- Generally stored/handled at ambient temperature; primary control is keeping product dry to preserve free-flowing performance.
Atmosphere Control- Moisture control is important because calcium silicate has high physical water adsorption; humidity/condensation can degrade handling and functional performance.
Shelf Life- Functional performance is sensitive to moisture uptake; storage in dry conditions and sealed packaging supports consistent anti-caking behavior.
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighVietnam requires food additives intended for domestic distribution to comply with MOH permitted-additive lists, food-group permissions, and maximum use levels; additives not on the permitted list (or mixed additives with new uses) require registration with Vietnam Food Administration/MOH. Misclassification of intended use, exceeding maximum levels, or distributing without the correct declaration/registration can block legal sale and trigger enforcement action.Confirm intended food category and maximum use level against the effective MOH additive appendices; complete Decree 15/2018 self-declaration dossier in Vietnamese with an in-date ISO/IEC 17025 test report; if not on the permitted list or a mixed additive with new uses, obtain VFA/MOH registration before distribution.
Food Safety MediumFood-grade calcium silicate must meet identity/purity and impurity controls (including metals/arsenic-related specifications) under FAO/WHO JECFA specifications; non-conforming lots can be rejected by buyers or regulators and can trigger recall/withdrawal exposure.Require supplier COA and periodic third-party verification against the FAO JECFA monograph; include heavy metals/impurities in the testing scope used for Vietnam declaration dossiers.
Documentation Gap MediumDecree 15/2018 ties self-declaration to a specific form and a recent food-safety test report and imposes Vietnamese-language dossier requirements; missing/expired test results or non-notarized translations can delay market entry and create compliance gaps.Standardize a Vietnam-ready dossier pack (Vietnamese declarations, notarized translations, ISO/IEC 17025 test reports within 12 months, and consistent product identity across labels/COA/invoices).
Logistics LowCalcium silicate’s high water adsorption makes it sensitive to moisture ingress in humid/tropical storage and shipping conditions, which can cause caking and reduced anti-caking performance in customer formulations.Use moisture-barrier packaging and dry container practices; implement incoming QC for moisture-related parameters and enforce dry-warehouse storage.
FAQ
Does Vietnam require a declaration before selling a food additive such as calcium silicate on the domestic market?Yes. Vietnam’s food safety framework requires food additives intended for domestic distribution to be declared under the product self-declaration regime, with additional registration required for additives not on the permitted list or for mixed additives with new uses.
What are the core documents used for self-declaration of a food additive in Vietnam?The self-declaration typically includes the official self-declaration form and a food-safety testing report/data sheet issued within 12 months by a designated laboratory or a laboratory complying with ISO/IEC 17025, and the dossier must be prepared in Vietnamese (with notarized Vietnamese translations for foreign-language documents).
Which international reference does Vietnam align with for additive permissions and use levels?Vietnam’s food-additive framework (including Circular 24/2019) is described as continuing to adopt Codex GSFA (Codex STAN 192-1995) provisions for permitted additives and maximum use levels, supplemented by Vietnam-specific appendices for certain categories.