Food-grade magnesium stearate, as an important food additive, is widely used in the food industry. It is a white, non-sandy fine powder with a slight odor, and feels slippery when in contact with skin. It is insoluble in water, ethanol, and ether, but soluble in hot water and hot ethanol. It decomposes into stearic acid and the corresponding magnesium salt when encountering acid. The following is a detailed introduction to food-grade magnesium stearate.

　　I. Basic Properties

　　Food-grade magnesium stearate has stable chemical properties and is not easily oxidized in the air. It has a high melting point, usually between 155-158℃, and a high apparent density, making it easy to disperse and fill. These properties allow magnesium stearate to maintain stable performance during food processing and are not easily affected by the external environment.

　　II. Main Uses

　　Emulsifier: Magnesium stearate can improve the texture and taste of food, making it more delicate and uniform.

　　Anticaking agent: In candies, pastries, and other foods, magnesium stearate can prevent the adhesion of food particles and maintain the looseness of the food.

　　Coating agent: Magnesium stearate can be used for coating the surface of food, forming a protective film to extend the shelf life of the food.

　　In addition, magnesium stearate can also be used as a release agent, glidant, and thickener, playing an important role in food production.

　　III. Safety Assessment

　　The safety of food-grade magnesium stearate has been extensively evaluated. According to the current national standard GB1886.91—2016, when magnesium stearate is used as a food additive, it must meet certain sensory requirements and physicochemical indicators. These indicators ensure that the use of magnesium stearate in food is safe and will not adversely affect human health.

　　However, it should be noted that excessive use of magnesium stearate may pose certain hazards to the human body. Therefore, in food production, the amount of magnesium stearate added must be strictly controlled to ensure its use within a safe range.

　　IV. Market Prospects

　　With the continuous development of the food industry, the market demand for magnesium stearate as a food additive is also increasing. In the future, the application fields of magnesium stearate in the food industry will be even wider, and the market prospects are very broad.

　　In summary, food-grade magnesium stearate, as an important food additive, has broad application prospects in the food industry. During use, its addition amount needs to be strictly controlled to ensure its safety.