E558 / Acidity regulators & anti-caking agents
Bentonite
Safety in brief
Safe
Recorded EatMatrix rating, not a new clinical review. The amount, your sensitivities and country rules still matter.
EU food-use restriction: The Part B footnote states that authorisation lasted until 31 May 2013. This historical entry is not a current food-use permission. Read the rule.
- Watch for
- No allergen or sensitivity is recorded for this ingredient here. Check the whole product label; this is not an allergen-free guarantee.
- Our advice
- Read the whole food label and consider how often you eat the product. A name or E number does not tell you the amount, and an ingredient rating cannot assess the entire food.
What it is
Bentonite is a natural clay used in small amounts in food as a clarifying and stabilizing agent, for example to filter wine, beer, and juice. It passes through the digestive tract largely unabsorbed and is considered safe by EFSA and the FDA at approved food-use levels.
Also appears on labels as: Bentonite, Bentonite clay, Montmorillonite clay, Aluminum phyllosilicate, Fuller's earth (bentonite type), Volcanic ash clay, Smectite clay, Sodium bentonite, Calcium bentonite, Potassium bentonite, Hydrated aluminum silicate, Natural bentonite.
Dietary information
- Vegan
- Yes
- Halal
- Yes
- Gluten-free
- Yes
- Allergens
- None recorded
Recorded ingredient information. Check the product label or certification: sources, other ingredients and cross-contact can vary.
Research & body effects
Health notes from our ingredient record
- Generally recognized as safe at typical food levels.
Country rules
Country checks for E558
Permission depends on the market, type of food, amount and conditions. A scientific opinion or an E-number alone does not establish a legal use. These checks are separate from the stored EatMatrix rating.
EU food-use restriction: The Part B footnote states that authorisation lasted until 31 May 2013. This historical entry is not a current food-use permission. Read the dated EU list and footnote.
Compare all eight markets and their sources
| Market | What is checked |
|---|---|
| European Union | Regulation (EC) 1333/2008, Annex II Part B, version , contains the exact code E558: Bentonite. The Part B footnote states that authorisation lasted until 31 May 2013. This historical entry is not a current food-use permission. Listing alone does not allow every food use. Part E food categories, limits, specifications and applicable later acts still need a product-specific check. Source read: . |
| Great Britain | No verified exact register record in this review. Identity and current use rules need checking; missing a record does not establish a ban. |
| United States | Selected US conditions for Bentonite Official federal text current through ; read . Food uses, limits and exceptionsNamed preparation and use conditions Bentonite of suitable purity is listed as a processing aid under good manufacturing practice, which the section says results in no significant residue in food. This is not permission to add arbitrary amounts of clay to a food or supplement. EatMatrix’s reading: a legal use condition answers where and how an ingredient may be used. It is not a test of your product, a personal safe intake or a claim that the ingredient benefits your body. Match the named substance, food and amount. Other federal provisions, food standards, state rules and later changes may also apply; this is a selected source review, not a complete product-compliance decision. |
| Northern Ireland | Review pending. Check the applicable EU rules and territory arrangements; the GB register alone does not establish this status. FSA guidance is a starting source, not a verified permission for this entry. |
| Canada | Processing role needs confirmation No exact additive row was found for this clay preparation. The Canadian wine standard names clay as a fining-agent category, and CFIA describes some clarifying/filtering uses as processing aids. Neither broad category individually confirms this bentonite or kaolin material. EatMatrix reading: Match the mineral composition, contaminants, food process and negligible-residue conditions. A general clay fining provision is not unrestricted permission to leave this material in every food. Name and category review: . This describes the legal source check, not a finding that the ingredient is safe, unsafe or untested. Sources and names checkedNames checked: Bentonite; Kaolin; Aluminum Silicate; Aluminium Silicate. All 15 Health Canada permitted-additive lists were checked by exact name, with the reviewed alternatives above. E-numbers alone are not Canadian ingredient names.
The Justice Canada consolidation read was current to 21 September 2026. A complete product decision also requires its composition, specifications, intended food and use, quantities, applicable separate provisions and any later changes. |
| Australia | Review pending. Food Standards Code permissions and conditions need an additive-specific check. FSANZ food-additive rules is a starting source, not a verified permission for this entry. |
| New Zealand | Review pending. Food Standards Code permissions and conditions need an additive-specific check. FSANZ food-additive rules is a starting source, not a verified permission for this entry. |
| Japan | Review pending. The relevant list, identity and use standards need an additive-specific check. CAA food-additive lists is a starting source, not a verified permission for this entry. |
Sources & review status
Check what each source covers: an authority’s conclusion, a research finding and a country’s legal permission answer different questions.
What this guide covers
- Original ingredient record
- No research links in the original record. Sources added separately to this guide are not included in this count.
This guide brings together our ingredient record and the dated sources shown here. Missing information describes a gap in this guide; it does not mean an ingredient is untested, safe or harmful. This is not a complete review of every study, preparation or current country rule. The amount in a product and how it is used still matter.
How to read the ratings, research and country checksAgency labels recorded by EatMatrix
These are imported database classifications, not verified current statements from each authority. Use the dated official sources below for their actual scope and conclusions.
| Authority | Database label |
|---|---|
| FDA | Safe |
| WHO | Safe |
| EFSA | Safe |
| FSANZ | Safe |
| Japan | Safe |
| UK FSA | Safe |
| Health Canada | Safe |
Database updated: . What does an E number mean on a food label?
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
What is EatMatrix's recorded rating for E558?
The recorded EatMatrix rating for E558 (Bentonite) is “Safe”. It is calculated from labels stored in our ingredient database. These labels are not verified current regulator decisions or country permissions. A database update date is not a scientific review date.
Is E558 vegan, halal or gluten-free?
According to our ingredient data for Bentonite — vegan: yes, vegetarian: yes, halal: yes, kosher: yes, gluten-free: yes, dairy-free: yes. Manufacturing sources can vary between products; check the label if it matters to you.
What is E558 and why is it used?
Bentonite is a natural clay used in small amounts in food as a clarifying and stabilizing agent, for example to filter wine, beer, and juice. It passes through the digestive tract largely unabsorbed and is considered safe by EFSA and the FDA at approved food-use levels.
Does E558 contain allergens?
No known allergens are recorded for Bentonite.
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This page shows information and classifications recorded in our ingredient database. Current scientific and market-specific verification remains pending as described above. It is general information, not medical advice.