E173 Aluminium

E173ColorsOrigin: Mineral

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The short answer

Aluminium (E173) is a metallic silver-gray powder used on some European sugar decorations and sweets. It is used in tiny amounts, and it is not approved as a food color in the US.

55/100

Use in moderation

Safe in small amounts; may bother some people or raise blood sugar.

E-numberE173

Comes fromMineral

What it doesColors

Glycemic index—

Daily limitNot set

Also calledAluminium, Aluminum

Rules by country

🇺🇸 US FDANot evaluated as an additive

🇪🇺 European UnionApproved with limits

🇨🇦 Health CanadaNot evaluated as an additive

CaliforniaNo extra rules

The US does not approve aluminum as a food color. The EU allows it on the outside of certain sugar decorations and coated sweets, in small amounts. Overall aluminum exposure is what EFSA limits, so the decoration dose is kept low.

Daily limit: Experts haven’t set a number because normal food amounts are far below any level of concern.

What is it?

Aluminum dust gives a silver sheen to candy and cake decorations. It is not eaten in large amounts, and most of it is not absorbed. It sits on the surface of a sweet, and the dose on any one piece is very small.

Where it comes from: Mined from bauxite ore, then smelted and milled into a fine metallic powder. It is used in tiny amounts for decoration, not as a coloring for the whole food.

Why it’s in food

Silver sheen on sugar balls
Metallic decorations on cake
Coats some sweets for a shine

Often found in

Silver sugar balls (EU)Cake decorationsCoated sweetsChocolate decorations

Also listed as: Aluminium, Aluminum, Aluminum powder, Aluminium powder, Food silver

Health & gut impact

Aluminum intakeUnder study

EFSA counts aluminum from every source, so decoration use adds a little to the total. Frequent users of decorated sweets are the group to watch.

EFSA CONTAM Panel (2008)

AbsorptionBenefit

Metallic aluminum on a sweet is poorly absorbed and passes through the body.

EFSA CONTAM Panel (2008)

Decorate cakes without metallic powder

For your pantry

Pantry staple

Plain sugar sprinkles

Colored with plant extracts, no metal.

Shop plant-colored sprinkles Opens your country’s Amazon store

Pantry staple

Pearl sugar

A clear, crunchy decoration.

Shop pearl sugar Opens your country’s Amazon store

Clean grocery swap

Natural edible glitter

Plant-based shimmer for cakes.

Shop plant-based edible glitter Opens your country’s Amazon store

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What can I use instead?

Edible gold leaf

Ratio: Pick the label

Best for: Metallic decoration

Sugar sprinkles with no metal

Ratio: 1:1

Best for: Decorating cakes

More colors:

Allura Red AC (Red 40) E129Red 40 (E129) is a petroleum-based dye. It's legal in the US and EU, but European packages must carry a warning about hyperactivity in children, and California is removing it from school food.Best to avoid Amaranth dye E123Amaranth dye (E123) is a synthetic red that the US banned in 1976. Europe still allows tiny uses. It is not the amaranth seed sold as a gluten-free grain.Best to avoid Ammonia caramel (Caramel III) E150cAmmonia caramel (E150c) is the caramel class made with ammonia and no sulfite, common in beer. It is approved, but like cola caramel it can contain 4-MEI, which California lists under Proposition 65.Use in moderation Annatto E160bAnnatto (E160b) is a natural orange color from achiote seeds. It's what makes cheddar orange. It's safe and vegan, though it's one of the few natural colors that can trigger allergies.Generally safe

Common questions

Is aluminum on candy safe?

In the tiny amounts used for decoration, it is poorly absorbed. EFSA counts it in the overall aluminum total, so frequent use of decorated sweets is the only real consideration.

Is Aluminium safe?

Use in moderation (55/100). The US does not approve aluminum as a food color. The EU allows it on the outside of certain sugar decorations and coated sweets, in small amounts. Overall aluminum exposure is what EFSA limits, so the decoration dose is kept low.

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Scientific sources & regulatory citations

EFSA OpenFoodTox: E173
EFSA CONTAM Panel (2008)

INS 173 · CAS 7429-90-5