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  • E227 Calcium hydrogen sulphite (also a Preservative)

    Another calcium salt of sulphurous acid, see E222. Used not only as a food preservative, but also as a firming agent and disinfectant in food preparation.

    Typical products include beer, canned fruit and vegetables, jams, pickles, fruit juice, fruit jelly.

  • E333 Calcium citrates (also Acidity Regulators)

    (i) Monocalcium citrate

    Monocalcium citrate is the calcium salt of citric acid, E330, and is used as a firming agent in food. It is also used as an acidity regulator and sequestrant.

    Typical products include gelatine products, ice cream, wine, carbonated beverages, sweets, jams, evaporated and condensed milk, milk powder, processed cheeses.

    Journal Articles and References

    (ii) Dicalcium citrate

    Dicalcium citrate is the calcium salt of citric acid, E330, and is used as a firming agent in food. It is also used as an acidity regulator and sequestrant.

    Typical products include gelatine products, ice cream, wine, carbonated beverages, sweets, jams, evaporated and condensed milk, milk powder, processed cheeses.

    Journal Articles and References

    (iii) Tricalcium citrate

    Tricalcium citrate is the calcium salt of citric acid, E330, and is used as a firming agent in food. It is also used as an acidity regulator and sequestrant.

    Typical products include gelatine products, ice cream, wine, carbonated beverages, sweets, jams, evaporated and condensed milk, milk powder, processed cheeses.

    Other names: 1,2,3-Propanetricarboxylic acid, 2-hydroxy-, Tricalcium citrate
    Molecular formula: C12H10Ca3O14
    CAS No: 813-94-5
    Physical appearance: white powder or white to colourless crystals
    Other information: low toxicity

    Journal Articles and References

  • E341 Calcium phosphates (also Anti-Caking Agents)

    (i) Monocalcium phosphate

    Monocalcium Phosphate Monocalcium phosphate is available commercially in the anhydrous or monohydrate form. Both are used as a leavening acid to replace cream of tartar in foods, 'straight baking powder' is a mixture of monocalcium phosphate monohydrate and sodium hydrogen carbonate. Monocalcium phosphate is used extensively in the fertiliser industry, when it was noted in 1880 that acidulated bones (containing tricalcium phosphate) made good fertiliser.

    Typical products include self-raising flour, baking powder, cake and pastry mixes, cakes and other pastry products.

    Other names: calcium phosphate, monobasic, monohydrate, calcium tetrahydrogen diorthophosphate.
    Molecular formula: Ca(H2PO4)2 H20
    CAS No: 7758-23-8
    Physical appearance: white crystalline powder
    Other information: may cause skin, eyes and respiratory irritation.

    Journal Articles and References

    (ii) Dicalcium phosphate

    Dicalcium Phosphate Manufactured from phophoric acid, dicalcium phosphate is used as an antioxidant in food, an abrasive agent in toothpaste (dicalcium phosphate dihydrate) as well as being a firming agent. Available in the anhydrous or dihydrate forms.

    Typical products include tinned and packaged fruit deserts, granular food products.

    Other names: Calcium hydrogen orthophosphate, calcium phosphate dibasic.
    Molecular formula: CaHPO4

    Journal Articles and References

    (iii)Tricalcium phosphate

    Some form of tricalcium phosphate is found to make up 60% of non-cellular bone structure and 70% of teeth in an average adult. Synthetic tricalcium phosphate is added to table salt, sugar, baking powder and fertilisers to give a 'free-flowing' quality. It is prepared from naturally derived calcium phosphate.

    Typical products include salt, sugar and other granular foods, packet sauce mixes, cake mixes etc.

    Other names: tricalcium diorthophosphate, calcium phosphate tribasic.
    Molecular formula: Ca5(PO4)3OH

    Journal Articles and References

  • E516 Calcium sulphate (also an Acidity Regulator)

    calcium sulphate Calcium sulphate occurs naturally in the form of gypsum, and may be used as a sequestrant in food as well as a buffer and firming agent.

    Typical products include beer.

    Other names: Anhydrous gypsum
    Molecular formula: CaSO4
    CAS No: 7778-18-9
    Physical appearance: white odourless powder
    Melting point: 1450 C
    Other information: may irritate nose and eyes

    Journal Articles and References

  • E526 Calcium hydroxide (also an Acidity Regulator)

  • E578 Calcium gluconate

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