日本語
Food additive databaseprocessing agentChecked 2026-10-02

Diatomaceous Earth ケイソウ土

Existing food additiveNot on the EU additive list
Purpose
processing agent
On the label
“ケイソウ土” (diatomaceous earth), “不溶性鉱物性物質” (insoluble mineral substance) (when it is labeled)
Name in the List of Existing Food Additives
ケイソウ土 (No. 111)
Source and production
Silicon dioxide derived from diatoms. There are dried, calcined (fired at 800 to 1200°C), and flux-calcined (fired with a small amount of alkali carbonate added) types.

In Japan

  • Silicon dioxide derived from diatoms, available as dried, calcined, and flux-calcined types (as defined in the Japanese Standards of Food Additives). Used as a manufacturing agent. Under the standards for use, it may be used only when essential for manufacturing or processing, and the amount remaining in the food is limited to 0.50%.
  • The simplified name is “不溶性鉱物性物質” (insoluble mineral substance). When it is used in the manufacturing process and does not remain in the final food, or remains only in a trace amount with no effect, it counts as a processing aid and labeling is omitted (Food Labeling Standards).

Japan's standards for use

  • Must not be used except when essential for manufacturing or processing the food
  • Residue in the food: up to 0.50% (when two or more insoluble mineral substances such as acid clay, kaolin, bentonite, talc, perlite, and activated clay are used, the total amount)

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.

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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