日本語
Food additive databaseprocessing agentChecked 2026-10-02

Activated Acid Clay 活性白土

Existing food additiveNot on the EU additive list
Purpose
processing agent
On the label
“活性白土” (activated acid clay), “不溶性鉱物性物質” (insoluble mineral substances) (not labeled when it qualifies as a processing aid)
Name in the List of Existing Food Additives
活性白土 (No. 54)
Source and production
Obtained by treating acid clay with sulfuric acid. The main component is hydrated aluminum silicate (component specifications).

In Japan

  • On the List of Existing Food Additives (list of listed items), its purpose is processing agent, and the simplified name (category name) is “不溶性鉱物性物質” (insoluble mineral substances).
  • There is a standard for use for insoluble mineral substances: they cannot be used except when essential for the manufacture or processing of food, and the amount remaining in the food is limited to 0.50% or less (combined with other insoluble mineral substances).
  • Labeling is exempt when it qualifies as a processing aid, for example because it is removed during manufacturing.

Japan's standards for use

  • Must not be used except when essential for the manufacture or processing of food
  • Residue: up to 0.50% (when two or more of acid clay, kaolin, bentonite, talc, diatomaceous earth, perlite, granite porphyry, activated acid clay, cristobalite, and zeolite are used, the total amount; 5.0% when only talc is used in chewing gum)

This is a summary of the standards for use. See the source list for the exact conditions.

In the EU

  • It is not on the EU list of food additives (Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II), so it cannot be used as a food additive in the EU.
  • The EU's additives regulation, Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, does not apply to processing aids (Article 2). Activated acid clay is not on the EU additive list.

Sources

Checked 2026-10-02. Rules and evaluations change over time. This page is a translation of our Japanese page; if they differ, the Japanese page is the reference.

This page lists facts stated in laws and in evaluations by public bodies; it is not a safety verdict. Additives used in Japan are approved by the government, which sets the foods and amounts they can be used in. The ADI is a guide to the amount that is considered safe to take every day over a lifetime.

Other substances used as processing agent

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