What is E560?

Complete guide to understanding E560 — the most critical discovery: E560 is NOT a food additive, it’s a feed additive. Not approved for human food in the EU.

🔴 CRITICAL CLASSIFICATION: E560 IS NOT A FOOD ADDITIVE — E560 is a FEED ADDITIVE, not a food additive. Despite the E-number designation that suggests food additive status, E560 (natural mixtures of talc and chlorite) is authorized under the separate animal feed additive regulations (EC 1831/2003), NOT under food additive regulations (EC 1333/2008). E560 is NOT approved for use in any human food products in the EU. The E-number creates consumer confusion by suggesting food additive status when E560 is exclusively a feed additive for livestock, poultry, and other animals. This represents a fundamental regulatory distinction that most consumers do not understand.

The Quick Answer

E560 is NOT a food additive — it’s a feed additive for animal nutrition. Despite the E-number designation, E560 is not approved for human food consumption in the EU; it’s approved only for animal feed under separate regulations.

What makes E560 uniquely important: This is the first additive in this entire research collection that revealed a critical consumer misconception: not all E-numbers are food additives. E560 is a perfect example. The E-number designation suggests it’s approved for food use like E551, E554, E555, etc. But E560 is completely different — it’s a feed additive authorized under different regulations for use in animal nutrition. E560 (natural mixtures of talc and chlorite) is approved by EFSA as a hygiene condition enhancer for livestock feed. But it’s NOT in any human food products in the EU because it’s not authorized as a food additive. This distinction matters enormously for consumers because it means: (1) You will NOT find E560 in EU human food, (2) E560 may indirectly reach you through meat/dairy from treated animals (but EFSA found no safety concern), (3) The E-number system can be confusing because not all E-numbers mean food additives.

E560 is unique: an E-number for a feed additive, not a food additive.

📌 Quick Facts

What It Is: Natural mixtures of talc (steatite) and chlorite (NTMC)
Type: FEED ADDITIVE (not food additive)
Regulatory Home: EC 1831/2003 (feed regulations), NOT EC 1333/2008 (food regulations)
Function: Hygiene condition enhancer; pathogenic control in animal feed
EU Food Approval: NOT APPROVED (not on food additives list)
EU Feed Approval: APPROVED (authorized for animal feed)
Found in Human Food (EU): NO (not authorized)
Found in Animal Feed (EU): YES (approved for livestock, poultry)
EFSA Assessment: 2018 re-evaluation; confirmed safe for animal feed
Consumer Impact: Not directly in food; indirect exposure through treated animals

The Critical Distinction: Feed Additive vs. Food Additive

Most important concept: E560 is NOT a food additive despite the E-number designation.

Characteristic	Food Additive (E551-E559, E561+)	Feed Additive (E560)
Regulatory base	EC Regulation 1333/2008 (food additives)	EC Regulation 1831/2003 (feed additives)
Approval list	Annex II to Regulation 1333/2008	Separate feed additives register
Direct human consumption	YES – in food products	NO – only in animal feed
Intended use	Human food (salt, spices, supplements, etc.)	Animal nutrition (livestock, poultry feed)
Safety assessment	Based on human dietary exposure	Based on animal feed use + indirect human exposure
Labeling in food	YES – must be listed on food label	NO – not on food labels (not in food)
E560 examples	N/A – E560 not a food additive	Talc/chlorite mixture for poultry feed

ℹ️ IMPORTANT DISTINCTION: The E-number system creates consumer confusion. Most E-numbers (E100-E559, E561+) are food additives used in human food. E560 is different — it’s a feed additive for animals. The E-number was assigned to talc/chlorite for feed use, not food use. This is why careful checking is essential: “E-number” does NOT automatically mean “food additive.”

What Exactly Is E560?

E560 is a natural mineral mixture of talc and chlorite used only in animal feed — NOT in human food.

Official designation: Natural mixtures of talc (steatite) and chlorite (NTMC)

Composition: At least 75% talc and chlorite as main components; may include other mineral components

Appearance: Fine gray-white powder; mineral origin

Origin: Natural mineral mined from geological deposits; not synthesized

Primary function in animal feed:

– Hygiene condition enhancer
– Reduces pathogenic bacteria in feed
– Improves animal health outcomes
– Maintains feed quality during storage

Key properties:

– Natural mineral composition
– Adsorbent properties (binds pathogens)
– Fine powder form (disperses in feed)
– Chemically stable in animal digestive system
– Not absorbed in significant amounts
– Harmless passage through animal GI tract

🔬 Understanding E560’s Feed Role: E560 works in animal feed by its adsorbent properties — it binds to pathogenic bacteria and other contaminants in the feed, preventing their proliferation and protecting animal health. This is a legitimate functional purpose for animal nutrition. However, because it’s NOT approved for direct human food consumption, you will not find it in salt, spices, supplements, or any other human food products in the EU.

Where E560 Is (and Isn’t) Found

E560 distribution: strictly separated between animal feed and human food.

Product Category	Contains E560?	Regulatory Basis	Notes
EU Human Food	NO	Not authorized (1333/2008)	E560 cannot legally be added to human food
Table salt	NO	Not approved for salt	Uses E551, E554, E555, E556, E558 instead
Spices and seasonings	NO	Not approved additive	Uses other anti-caking agents
Food supplements	NO	Not authorized	Different anti-caking agents used
EU Animal Feed	YES	Authorized (1831/2003)	Approved for livestock, poultry feed
Livestock feed	YES	EFSA approved (2018)	Hygiene condition enhancer
Poultry feed	YES	Approved use	Pathogenic control in feed
Pet food (varies)	Varies	Country-specific regulations	May be included in some pet feeds

Critical distinction: E560 is in animal feed, NOT in human food, in the EU.

EFSA 2018 Assessment of E560

Most recent regulatory evaluation: EFSA 2018 re-evaluation of talc/chlorite mixture for animal feed.

EFSA Opinion (2018): “Safety and efficacy of natural mixtures of talc (steatite) and chlorite (E 560) as a feed additive for all animal species”

Key findings:

– Safety for animals: E560 confirmed safe for livestock and poultry when used in feed
– Function efficacy: Hygiene condition enhancer confirmed effective
– Indirect human exposure: Assessed carry-over risk to meat/dairy from treated animals
– Consumer safety: “No concerns identified for consumers from carry-over to food products from animals fed E560”
– Approval: Recommended for continued authorization as animal feed additive

Why re-evaluation occurred: Talc has historical concerns about potential asbestos contamination in older sources. EFSA needed to confirm that modern talc sourcing is properly controlled to prevent asbestos-like fiber contamination.

Outcome: Modern talc/chlorite products meet specifications; no asbestos concerns identified; safe for animal feed use.

Potential Indirect Human Exposure

How E560 could theoretically reach humans: indirect route through treated animals.

Exposure pathway:

1. E560 (talc/chlorite) added to livestock or poultry feed
2. Animals consume feed containing E560
3. E560 passes through animal digestive system
4. Talc/chlorite NOT absorbed (remains in GI tract)
5. Excreted in waste or minimal residue remains
6. Minimal to no carry-over to meat/dairy
7. Any theoretical residue would be negligible

EFSA assessment of this pathway: “No safety concerns identified for indirect human consumers.”

Bottom line on indirect exposure: Even if E560 were used in animal feed, the amount that could theoretically carry over to meat or dairy is negligible, and EFSA found no safety concern for this route.

The Bottom Line

E560 is a feed additive (not food additive) — not found in EU human food, approved only for animal feed use.

Key facts about E560:

– Not a food additive: E560 is not on the EU approved food additives list (1333/2008)
– Is a feed additive: E560 is authorized under animal feed regulations (1831/2003)
– Not in your food: E560 cannot legally be added to any human food in the EU
– In animal feed: E560 is approved for livestock and poultry feed
– EFSA assessment: 2018 re-evaluation confirmed safety for animal feed use
– Indirect exposure: No safety concern identified from potential carry-over to meat/dairy
– Consumer impact: Minimal; E560 is not a food additive concern because it’s not in food

ℹ️ BOTTOM LINE: E560 is unique among the additives examined because it’s NOT a food additive at all. The E-number designation creates consumer confusion, but E560 is exclusively a feed additive for animal nutrition. You will not find E560 in any EU human food products. While animals fed E560-treated feed may theoretically have negligible residues, EFSA found no safety concern for indirect consumer exposure. The key lesson: not all E-numbers mean food additives; E560 is a feed additive example.

Final Thoughts: When E-Numbers Aren’t for Food

E560 teaches an important consumer lesson that extends beyond this one additive.

The E-number misconception: Most consumers see an E-number and automatically assume it’s a food additive — something added directly to the food they eat. E560 proves this assumption is sometimes wrong. E560 has an E-number, but it’s assigned for FEED use, not food use. It never appears in your human food.

Why this matters: Consumers concerned about food additives search labels for E-numbers. If they saw “E560” on a label, they might worry. But E560 won’t be on food labels (because it’s not in food). It would appear on animal feed labels only. This distinction is critical for informed consumer choice.

The broader E-number system:

The E-number system includes:
– E100-E199: Color additives
– E200-E299: Preservatives
– E300-E399: Antioxidants and acidity regulators
– E400-E499: Emulsifiers, stabilizers, thickeners
– E500-E599: pH regulators and anti-caking agents
– E600+: Flavor enhancers and miscellaneous

But NOT all E-numbers are food additives. Some are feed additives (like E560), some are used in different regulatory systems, some apply in some countries but not others.

Consumer implications of E560:

– E560 is not in EU food — no direct consumer concern
– E560 is in animal feed — indirect exposure minimal/no safety concern
– E560 illustrates regulatory complexity consumers often don’t understand
– Not all E-numbers mean direct food consumption
– Label-checking for E-numbers is useful but requires understanding context

Comparison to earlier additives: This collection examined E551-E559. E551-E559 are ALL food additives (though with various safety concerns). E560 breaks this pattern — it’s specifically a feed additive, not a food additive. The next additives (E561+) would return to food additive focus.

The bigger picture: Food safety regulation is more complex than consumers typically understand. E560 is a perfect example of this complexity. A substance can have an E-number, be approved by EFSA for safety, be legitimate for a specific purpose (animal feed), yet never appear in human food. Understanding these distinctions helps consumers navigate food safety information more intelligently.

What is E560? – Complete guide