Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormPowder
Industry PositionFood additive (anti-caking agent) / processing aid ingredient
Market
Calcium silicate (INS 552 / E552) is a food additive used mainly as an anti-caking agent and, in some uses, as a processing aid (filtering aid), with quality specifications set out by FAO/WHO JECFA. In India, calcium silicate appears in FSSAI’s food additive framework and is listed as an anti-caking agent, with category-specific maximum levels in the FSSAI compendium (e.g., for salt) and other provisions on permitted uses. For imports into India, food items (including ingredients/additives) may be referred through Customs ICEGATE/SWIFT to FSSAI’s Food Import Clearance System (FICS) for document scrutiny, inspection, sampling, and testing before release. As a mineral powder with high physical water absorption per JECFA specifications, quality and handling controls that prevent moisture pickup are commercially important to maintain flowability and to avoid caking during storage and distribution.
Market RoleDomestic food-manufacturing ingredient market (anti-caking agent) supported by imports and local distribution
Domestic RoleIndustrial input used by Indian food and nutraceutical manufacturers in dry/powdered formulations where anti-caking performance is needed, subject to FSSAI category permissions and limits
Specification
Physical Attributes- Very fine, white to off-white powder with low bulk density and high physical water absorption (FAO JECFA Monographs 17, 2015).
- Insoluble in water and ethanol; alkaline pH in slurry is part of identity characterization (FAO JECFA Monographs 17, 2015).
Compositional Metrics- JECFA assay range (ignited basis): silicon dioxide (SiO2) 50–95% and calcium oxide (CaO) 3–35% (FAO JECFA Monographs 17, 2015).
- JECFA purity markers include loss on drying, loss on ignition, fluoride, and acid-soluble impurities with metals limits (FAO JECFA Monographs 17, 2015).
Grades- Food grade meeting FAO/WHO JECFA specifications for calcium silicate (INS 552), suitable for use as an anti-caking agent under FSSAI category permissions/limits.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Manufacturer (food-grade calcium silicate to JECFA specs) → importer/ingredient distributor → Indian food/nutraceutical processor → finished food products subject to FSSAI standards.
Temperature- Ambient-stable mineral ingredient; protect from heat/moisture cycles that increase caking risk.
Atmosphere Control- Moisture control is important because calcium silicate has high physical water absorption per JECFA specification; use moisture-barrier packaging and keep containers sealed.
Shelf Life- Shelf life is mainly limited by moisture pickup and resulting loss of flowability (caking), rather than microbial spoilage.
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Food Safety HighDeal-breaker risk for India entry and downstream use is failing purity/contaminant criteria in testing or customer specifications for food-grade calcium silicate. FAO/WHO JECFA specifications for calcium silicate (INS 552) set explicit limits for impurities such as lead and arsenic (and other purity markers), and FSSAI import clearance can involve sampling and laboratory testing under FICS; non-conformance can lead to Non-Conforming Report and release denial.Require supplier COA demonstrating compliance with FAO/WHO JECFA calcium silicate (INS 552) purity limits (including metals and fluoride), implement incoming QC with third-party testing where risk-justified, and align test methods/parameters to the applicable Indian standard checks used during FICS clearance.
Regulatory Compliance MediumIndia use-permission risk: calcium silicate is permitted only in specific food categories and at specified maximum levels/GMP conditions under FSSAI’s food additive framework; using it outside permitted categories or exceeding limits can trigger non-compliance in audits, labeling reviews, or enforcement actions.Map intended applications to the relevant FSSAI additive tables for each food category and document the formulation use level; keep a regulatory justification file referencing the applicable FSSAI provisions.
Documentation Gap MediumImport clearance disruption risk: incomplete or inconsistent documentation in the ICEGATE→FICS workflow (e.g., missing ingredient list/label/COA, mismatched country-of-origin documents, or missing import license) can delay sampling/clearance and increase detention time.Use a pre-shipment document checklist aligned to Food Imports Manual and FICS FAQs, and reconcile product identity (name/INS/CAS), batch numbers, and label/ingredient declarations across all submitted files.
Logistics MediumQuality degradation risk in India distribution: calcium silicate is a very fine powder with high physical water absorption per JECFA; moisture ingress during ocean freight, port storage, or warehousing can cause caking and loss of anti-caking performance, leading to customer rejection even if regulatory limits are met.Specify moisture-barrier packaging, use desiccants and container-liner controls where appropriate, and implement humidity-controlled storage with sealed handling to prevent moisture pickup.
Sustainability- Responsible sourcing and environmental management for siliceous raw materials (e.g., diatomaceous earth mentioned in JECFA definition) and associated mineral processing footprints (context derived from FAO/WHO JECFA specification scope).
FAQ
Is calcium silicate (INS 552) permitted for use in foods in India?Yes, calcium silicate is listed as a food additive (anti-caking agent) within FSSAI’s regulatory framework, and FSSAI’s food additive compendium includes category-specific permissions and maximum levels for its use (for example, in salt-related categories).
What documents are commonly required to import calcium silicate as a food ingredient/additive into India?FSSAI’s Food Imports Manual lists documents typically required in the ICEGATE→FICS process, including Bill of Entry, country of origin certificate, bill of lading, FSSAI import license, invoice, packing list, ingredient list, and product label; FICS importer FAQs also reference a certificate of analysis (including safety parameters) from the country of origin as applicable.
Which purity risks matter most for food-grade calcium silicate in India?The most critical risks are purity and contaminant non-compliance against recognized specifications. FAO/WHO JECFA’s calcium silicate specification includes defined limits for impurities such as lead and arsenic (and other purity markers), and FSSAI import clearance may involve sampling and lab testing under FICS, so failing these criteria can block clearance or trigger rejection.