Food additive databaseprocessing agentChecked 2026-10-02

Zeolite ゼオライト

Existing food additiveNot on the EU additive list

Purpose: processing agent
On the label: “ゼオライト” (zeolite), “不溶性鉱物性物質” (insoluble mineral substances)
Name in the List of Existing Food Additives: ゼオライト (No. 164)
Source and production: Obtained by refining zeolite mined from mineral deposits. The main component is a crystalline aluminosilicate.

In Japan

Refined zeolite (a crystalline aluminosilicate) mined from mineral deposits, used as a processing agent.
Under the standards for use it is treated as an “insoluble mineral substance”: it can be used only when essential for the manufacture or processing of food, and the amount remaining in the food is up to 0.50% (combined with other insoluble mineral substances). The category name when written by substance name is “不溶性鉱物性物質” (insoluble mineral substances).

Japan's standards for use

Standard for insoluble mineral substances: must not be used except when essential for the manufacture or processing of food
Residue in food: 0.50% (the total amount when used with one or more other insoluble mineral substances)

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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