E512: Stannous Chloride
Main role: color retention
Also listed as: tin(II) chloride
What is E512 (Stannous Chloride)?
Stannous chloride is a tin salt with narrowly defined food uses, such as helping retain appearance in certain preserved products. Its restricted scope makes it different from common kitchen salts.
What does it do in food?
Its main role is color retention. Mineral ingredients can adjust acidity, firm a food, or keep powders flowing. A technical mineral ingredient does not establish a nutritional dose; use the nutrition declaration to assess amounts per serving.
Food and formulation examples
- Specified preserved asparagus products
- Narrowly authorized canned preparations
These examples describe formulation roles, not a list of unrestricted legal uses. Availability and permitted applications differ by country and food category.
Label names and ingredient questions
Look for E512, E 512, or the ingredient name. Related names and label terms include tin(II) chloride. A family code can cover more than one specified form; check the full declaration when the distinction matters.
E512 is a specialized additive. Its authorization for a particular product does not imply that it is suitable for unrestricted use in other foods.
Is E512 safe?
There is no meaningful personal risk estimate from an E number alone. Food-grade specifications, allowed uses, amount consumed, and individual circumstances all matter. The authorization record below gives the legal scope; it is not a claim that every possible use is appropriate.
A label identifies the ingredient but usually not its concentration. Calculating daily intake requires the amount in the food and the quantities eaten.
Authorization and conditions of use
The Great Britain food additive register lists E512 as Stannous chloride. This is an entry subject to its stated conditions, not unrestricted permission for every food. The record links to the applicable authorization terms. For an EU product, use the European Commission food additive database to check the relevant food category and limits. Other countries may use different names or rules.