Anti-Caking Agents

Anti-caking agents are food additives that prevent powdered and granulated ingredients from clumping, sticking together, or absorbing excess moisture during storage and handling. Common anti-caking agents include silicon dioxide (silica), calcium silicate, sodium aluminosilicate, magnesium stearate, tricalcium phosphate, and microcrystalline cellulose. These ingredients are used at very low concentrations (typically 1-2% by weight) and are essential for maintaining the free-flowing properties of powdered foods from table salt to coffee creamer.

Anti-caking agents are found in table salt, garlic and onion powder, grated cheese, powdered sugar, baking mixes, coffee creamer, instant soups, seasoning blends, powdered drink mixes, protein powders, dried milk, flour, cake mixes, and virtually any powdered or granulated food product.

Level (high → low)Level (low → high)Name (A–Z)Name (Z–A)

AllL1L2L3L4

Sweet Ginger Teriyaki Wild Caught Patties, Sweet Ginger Teriyaki

8.27.0/10

Ranch Flavor Boost Seasoning Mix Macaroni & Cheese Dinner, Ranch

Kraft

8.21.5/10

Dill Pickle Gourmet Pretzels, Dill Pickle

Trucker Treats

8.27.5/10

Pumpkin Spice Pretzels, Pumpkin Spice

Hickory Harvest

8.20.5/10

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Round Hawaiian Sweet Bread

8.12.5/10

Plain Mini Bagels

8.16.5/10

Coconut Ginger Rice, Coconut Ginger

8.10.0/10

30% Less Sodium Chicken Gravy Mix, 30% Less Sodium Chicken

8.11.0/10

Hawaiian Sweet Rolls

Kings Hawaiian

8.12.0/10

Black Paella

Goya

8.10.0/10

Original Hawaiian Sweet Rolls, Original Hawaiian Sweet

Kings Hawaiian

8.12.0/10

Hot & Spicy Flavor Yakisoba Stir Fry Noodle

Fortune

8.17.0/10

Original Bbq Sauce, Original

Hunts

8.11.0/10

Sourdough English Muffins

Franz

8.17.5/10

Spanish Rice

La Preferida

8.16.5/10

Old El Paso 25% Less Sodium Taco Seasoning Mix

5.50.0/10

Old El Paso Chili Seasoning Mix

5.50.0/10

Old El Paso 25% Less Sodium Taco Seasoning Mix Value Size

5.50.0/10

Kernel Season's, Popcorn Seasoning, Sour Cream & Onion

5.50.0/10

Coffee Wafers

5.51.5/10

Extra Fancy Enchilada Seasoning

5.50.0/10

Sizzling Sriracha Popcorn Seasoning

5.53.0/10

Tangy Dill Pickle Pop Corn Seasoning

5.53.0/10

Simply Asia, Thai Kitchen, Roasted Garlic Rice Noodle Soup Bowl

5.56.0/10

Tic Tac, Freshmints

5.50.0/10

Gourmet Dip Mix

5.53.0/10

Natural Powder Drink Mix

5.50.5/10

Hydration Powder Drink Mix

5.50.5/10

Taco Seasoning

Kroger

5.33.0/10

Texas Beef Dry Rub, Texas Beef

Kosmos Q

5.30.0/10

Fruit Seasoning

3.03.0/10

Badia, Gourmet Blends Barbecue Seasoning

3.00.0/10

Badia, Garlic Salt

3.00.0/10

Grace, Caribbean Traditions, Curry Powder

3.03.0/10

5th Season, Chili Powder

3.03.0/10

Tex Joy, Steak Seasoning, Spicy

3.05.0/10

Sodium-Free Salt

3.05.0/10

Japanese Horseradish Wasabi Powder

3.05.0/10

Tajin, Clasico Seasoning, Lime

3.00.0/10

365 Everyday Value, Peppermint, Mints

3.02.5/10

Kroger, Chili Powder

3.03.0/10

Mccormick, Meat Tenderizer, Unseasoned

3.03.0/10

Zellie's, Naturally Sugar Free Mints, Spearmint

3.00.0/10

Chief Brand Products, Ginger Powder

3.00.0/10

Tangy Powder

3.00.0/10

La Fina, Chili and Lime Powder Seasoning

2.03.0/10

Extra Fancy Light Chili Powder (Light in Color)

2.00.0/10

Mccormick, Gourmet, Paprika

2.05.0/10

Sugar Twin, Calorie Free Sweetener

2.05.0/10

Sugar Twin, Calorie Free Sweetener Packets

2.05.0/10

Sugar Twin, Sweetener

2.05.0/10

Sea Salt Fine Cristal

2.03.0/10

Spanish Style Paprika

2.05.0/10

Cinnamon Mints, Cinnamon

2.00.0/10

Hot-Spicy Home-Made Style Tostones Plantain Snack

2.05.5/10

Garlic Tostones Chips, Garlic

2.03.0/10

Ground Chipotle Chile

2.00.0/10

Movie Theater Butter Salt Popcorn, Movie Theater Butter Salt

2.03.0/10

Shoprite, Paprika

1.05.0/10

Peppermint + Matcha Mints, Peppermint + Matcha

Simply Gum

1.00.0/10

Browse all 9,479 products →

Anti-Caking Agents can appear in ingredient lists under several names. If you see any of the following, this is the ingredient family you are looking at:

Anti-caking agents work by absorbing excess moisture, coating particle surfaces to reduce inter-particle friction, or creating physical barriers between particles to prevent agglomeration. They ensure that powdered products remain free-flowing, disperse easily when mixed, and maintain consistent measuring and dosing properties throughout their shelf life. Without anti-caking agents, many powdered foods would harden into solid blocks during storage, making them difficult to use and problematic for industrial processing equipment.

Anti-caking agents are derived from both mineral and organic sources. Silicon dioxide is produced from quartz sand or diatomaceous earth through purification processes. Calcium silicate is manufactured by fusing lime and silica at high temperatures. Tricalcium phosphate is produced from phosphate rock. Magnesium stearate is manufactured from magnesium and stearic acid (a fatty acid from vegetable or animal sources). Microcrystalline cellulose is produced by acid hydrolysis of wood pulp or other cellulose sources to create fine, uniform particles.

Anti-caking agents are used at low levels, with FDA maximum permitted concentrations typically set at 2% of the final product weight. Silicon dioxide passes through the digestive system largely unabsorbed. Research has examined nano-scale silicon dioxide particles and their biological interactions. Sodium aluminosilicate contains aluminum — the amounts present in food-grade anti-caking agents are within levels permitted by regulatory agencies.

This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

Anti-caking agents are regulated as food additives by the FDA, with maximum permitted levels typically set at 2% of the final product weight. Silicon dioxide is limited to 2% in food products. The EU assigns E-numbers to anti-caking agents (E500-E599 range) and sets specific maximum levels for each compound in different food categories. Some anti-caking agents that were historically common, like yellow prussiate of soda (sodium ferrocyanide), face stricter regulation in certain jurisdictions.