Magnesium Sulphate (E518): What It Is and Is It Safe?
Magnesium sulphate is a soluble magnesium salt used as a firming agent, acidity regulator and coagulant, notably to set soy protein into tofu. It also serves as a source of dietary magnesium in supplements and fortified foods. The compound is well characterised and low in toxicity; its main pharmacological effect is an osmotic laxative action that appears only at doses far above those encountered in food.
- Category
- Firming Agent / Acidity Regulator — Firming agent
- Typically used in
- Tofu and bean curd as a coagulant, brewing, and magnesium supplements.
- Regulatory status
- Not listed as an additive under EU or UK Regulation 1333/2008. Magnesium sulphate is separately permitted in the EU and UK as a magnesium source in food supplements and infant formula. Holds Codex INS 518.
Scrannr flags Magnesium Sulphate automatically when you scan a barcode.
Products containing Magnesium Sulphate
We're building product pages that show real UK products containing Magnesium Sulphate, using Open Food Facts data. They'll appear here soon — in the meantime, scan any barcode with the Scrannr app to check for it instantly.
Let Scrannr read the label.
Scan a barcode and get the additives flagged in plain English, plus a clear health score. Free to download.