What is E561?

Complete guide to understanding E561 (Vermiculite) — a feed additive being withdrawn from EU market due to asbestos contamination risk, NOT a food additive

🚨 BEING WITHDRAWN – ASBESTOS CONTAMINATION RISK: E561 (Vermiculite) is a FEED ADDITIVE (not a food additive) that is currently being withdrawn from EU approval. E561 was used in animal feed as an anti-caking and binding agent, but the EU has initiated phase-out due to asbestos contamination risks identified in some vermiculite mineral deposits. Like E560, E561 is NOT approved for human food consumption in the EU; it appears only in animal feed regulations. However, unlike E560 (which remains approved), E561 is being eliminated from the market as a precautionary measure against asbestos exposure risks inherent to the natural mineral source.

The Quick Answer

E561 is NOT a food additive — it’s a feed additive being withdrawn from EU market due to asbestos contamination risk in the natural vermiculite mineral source.

What makes E561 critically important: E561 demonstrates two profound regulatory lessons. First, like E560, it reveals that not all E-numbers are food additives — E561 has an E-number but is exclusively a feed additive for animal nutrition, not approved for human food. Second, and more importantly, E561 shows what happens when regulatory bodies identify health risks in additives: they ACT. While E554, E555, E556, E558 remain approved despite identified aluminum and contamination concerns, E561 is being phased out. The difference? Asbestos is universally recognized as a health hazard with no safe exposure level. Vermiculite’s association with asbestos created unacceptable risk, so the EU initiated withdrawal. E561 exemplifies the precautionary principle: when a natural mineral source presents potential asbestos contamination, remove it rather than manage the risk. This contrasts with the acceptance of aluminum exposure exceeding safe limits in other additives.

E561 is being withdrawn due to asbestos contamination risk — showing regulation can act decisively when health hazard is clear.

📌 Quick Facts

What It Is: Vermiculite; hydrated magnesium aluminum silicate mineral
Type: FEED ADDITIVE (not food additive); being withdrawn
Regulatory Home: EC 1831/2003 (feed regulations), NOT EC 1333/2008 (food regulations)
Function: Anti-caking agent; binder in animal feed
EU Food Approval: NOT APPROVED (not on food additives list)
EU Feed Approval: BEING WITHDRAWN (identified for phase-out)
Primary Concern: Asbestos contamination in natural vermiculite deposits
Current Status: Phase-out initiated; no longer authorized for new uses
Found in Human Food (EU): NO (never was; feed additive only)
Found in Animal Feed (EU): DECLINING (being phased out)

What Exactly Is E561?

E561 is vermiculite, a naturally occurring porous mineral used in animal feed — now being withdrawn due to asbestos contamination risks.

Mineral composition: Hydrated magnesium aluminum silicate (phyllosilicate); forms from weathered mica

Chemical formula: Mg₃(Si₄O₁₀)(OH)₂·4H₂O (variable hydration levels)

Appearance: Lightweight, porous powder or flakes; tan to brown color; highly absorbent

Origin: Natural mineral mined from geological deposits worldwide

Key properties (for feed use):

– High absorbency: absorbs moisture and contaminants
– Low density: lightweight; disperses easily in feed
– Porous structure: provides surface area for adsorption
– Binding properties: helps bind feed particles
– Inert: chemically stable in animal systems
– Natural origin: mined from geological deposits

Critical concern:

– Asbestos contamination risk: vermiculite deposits can contain asbestos fibers
– Historical issue: some vermiculite mining sites had asbestos contamination
– Health hazard: asbestos poses severe respiratory and cancer risks
– Precautionary approach: EU decided withdrawal rather than risk management

🔬 Understanding E561’s Withdrawal: E561 is being withdrawn for the opposite reason than most food additives remain approved. Most problematic additives (E554, E555, E556) remain approved because they serve necessary functions and no perfect alternatives exist. E561 is being withdrawn because of potential asbestos contamination — a universally recognized carcinogen with no safe exposure level. The EU decided that the precautionary principle applies: when a natural mineral source poses potential asbestos risk, phase it out rather than manage the risk. This demonstrates that regulation CAN be decisive when the hazard is unambiguous.

The Critical Distinction: Feed Additive Being Withdrawn

E561 is unique: not only a feed additive (not food), but being eliminated from even animal feed use.

Characteristic	Food Additives (E551-E559)	E560 Feed Additive	E561 Feed Additive (Withdrawn)
Use in human food	YES – direct consumption	NO – animal feed only	NO – animal feed only (now none)
Use in animal feed	N/A – food additives	YES – approved use	DECLINING – being phased out
Regulatory framework	EC 1333/2008 (food)	EC 1831/2003 (feed)	EC 1831/2003 (feed; withdrawn)
Current authorization	Varies (E551 approved, E559 banned)	Approved 2018 re-evaluation	Being withdrawn per 2021 regulation
Primary concern	Varies (aluminum, iron, etc.)	None identified	Asbestos contamination risk
Status trajectory	Mixed (approved, banned, improved)	Stable (approved)	Declining (being withdrawn)

🔴 CRITICAL DISTINCTION: E561 is the FIRST additive being withdrawn due to health hazard concern. While E559 was successfully banned and E554/E555/E556/E558 remain approved despite serious concerns, E561 demonstrates that the regulatory system CAN and DOES act when asbestos contamination risk is identified. The difference: asbestos is universally recognized as dangerous with no safe level; aluminum exposure limits are more contentious and alternatives more difficult.

Why E561 Is Being Withdrawn

The primary reason: asbestos contamination risk in natural vermiculite mineral deposits.

Asbestos Contamination Concern

Historical context: Some vermiculite deposits contain asbestos fibers naturally occurring in the geological formation

Health hazard: Asbestos is a known carcinogen with established health risks:

– Mesothelioma (lung cancer)
– Asbestosis (lung scarring)
– Other respiratory diseases
– No safe exposure level established
– Risk accumulates over time

EU precautionary approach: Rather than attempt to manage asbestos risk in feed additives, the EU chose withdrawal as the protective measure

Regulatory Decision

Official action: EU Commission Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 identified E561 Vermiculite for withdrawal

Regulatory language: “Feed additives to be withdrawn from the market — E 561: Vermiculite. All species.”

Phase-out process: Gradual withdrawal with specific deadline for removal from market

E561 vs. E560: Similar but Different Fates

Both E560 and E561 are feed additives (not food additives), but with opposite outcomes.

Aspect	E560 (Talc/Chlorite)	E561 (Vermiculite)
Classification	Feed additive	Feed additive
Not in human food	Correct	Correct
Natural mineral	YES	YES
Potential contamination	Asbestos (assessed; safe)	Asbestos (risk identified; unacceptable)
EFSA evaluation	2018 – confirmed safe	Withdrawal decision made pre-evaluation
Current status	APPROVED	BEING WITHDRAWN
Reason for different outcomes	Talc/chlorite purity confirmed	Vermiculite asbestos risk deemed unacceptable

Key insight: E560 was assessed and found safe for animal feed use. E561 was deemed too risky for withdrawal rather than undergo similar assessment. This reflects different regulatory philosophies: E560 uses risk assessment (manage the risk if acceptable). E561 uses precautionary principle (eliminate the risk if unacceptable).

The Bottom Line

E561 is a feed additive being withdrawn from EU market due to asbestos contamination risk — not a food additive, never consumed by humans directly.

Key facts about E561:

– Not a food additive: E561 never approved for human food in EU
– Is a feed additive: Used in animal feed as anti-caking and binding agent
– Being withdrawn: EU initiated phase-out due to asbestos contamination risk
– Timeline: Withdrawal initiated 2021; phase-out timeline follows regulatory deadlines
– Reason: Asbestos fibers in natural vermiculite deposits pose unacceptable health risk
– Precautionary approach: EU chose withdrawal rather than risk management
– No human food impact: E561 was never in human food; only in animal feed (declining)
– Indirect exposure: Minimal; animals consuming E561-treated feed do not accumulate vermiculite in tissue

🚨 BOTTOM LINE: E561 (Vermiculite) is a FEED ADDITIVE (not food additive) being withdrawn from EU approval due to asbestos contamination risk. Unlike food additives that remain approved despite serious concerns (E554, E555, E556, E558), E561 demonstrates that regulatory systems CAN act decisively when health hazard is unambiguous. E561 was never in human food in the EU; it was exclusively for animal feed and is now being phased out. This shows the precautionary principle in action: when a natural mineral source poses potential carcinogen risk, remove it from market rather than attempt risk management.

Final Thoughts: When Regulation Actually Acts on Health Hazards

E561 provides a crucial contrast to the entire research collection: it shows regulation CAN be decisive when conditions align.

The regulatory lesson from E561:

Throughout this research collection, we’ve documented regulatory inaction (E556 still approved 17 years after deletion recommendation). E561 breaks this pattern — asbestos risk was deemed unacceptable, and withdrawal was initiated. Why did E561 succeed in withdrawal while E554/E555/E556 remain approved despite serious concerns?

Key difference: asbestos is universally accepted as dangerous.

Asbestos has no safe exposure level. Everyone agrees: asbestos = health hazard = minimize exposure. This universal consensus enabled regulatory action. Aluminum exposure concerns are more contentious — some experts debate severity; industry needs alternatives; regulatory bodies hesitate.

E561 vs. E559 (also successfully phased out):

E559 took longer to ban (2008-2014) because E559 served necessary functions and alternatives were required. E561 withdrawal is faster because asbestos risk overrides functional considerations. When a substance poses universally recognized danger, speed increases.

Consumer implications:

– E561 never in your food (it’s feed additive)
– E561 being removed from even animal feed
– Demonstrates that regulation DOES act on clear health hazards
– Contrasts with inaction on aluminum and other concerns
– Shows precautionary principle can override industrial convenience

The bigger picture: E561 proves that food safety regulation is responsive to clear health hazards. Asbestos contamination risk was deemed unacceptable, so withdrawal was initiated. This provides hope that regulatory systems CAN protect consumers when health evidence is compelling and consensus clear. The persistence of E554, E555, E556, E558 despite concerns suggests that contested evidence and industrial dependence create regulatory inertia. Clear hazards prompt action; contested hazards prompt inaction.

What is E561? – Complete guide to understanding Vermiculite