Allervibe
E170
Calcium carbonate
A white mineral used as a colour, acidity regulator, anti-caking agent and calcium source in food.
i Additive Details
| Is E170 Calcium carbonate safe?
Well tolerated at the levels used in food. Large supplemental doses can cause constipation and bloating, and calcium taken together with alkali over long periods can, rarely, cause milk-alkali syndrome. People with kidney stones, hyperparathyroidism or advanced kidney disease should keep total calcium intake to what their doctor advises. It is not a phosphate and is not covered by the phosphate group ADI.
| Uses
Whitens and opacifies confectionery coatings, chewing gum, icings and some sauces, and neutralises excess acid in wine, canned vegetables and dairy products. It is widely used to fortify plant drinks, breakfast cereals and, in some countries, wheat flour with calcium, and to keep powdered foods and grated cheese free-flowing. The same compound is the main ingredient of many antacids and calcium supplements.
| Interactions
Calcium eaten at the same time reduces the absorption of iron and zinc, and it binds several medicines, including tetracycline and quinolone antibiotics, levothyroxine and bisphosphonates, which is why those are taken a few hours apart from calcium-rich foods or supplements. It reacts with food acids to release carbon dioxide, which is the basis of both its acidity-regulating effect and its mild raising action.
| Origin
Mined and ground from limestone, chalk or marble, or precipitated from purified lime and carbon dioxide when a fine and controlled particle size is needed. The same compound forms seashells, coral and eggshell.
| Daily Intake
EFSA re-evaluated calcium carbonate in 2011 and found no safety concern at the reported uses, listing it without a numerical ADI. Guidance is based instead on total calcium intake: EFSA has set a tolerable upper intake level of 2500 mg of calcium per day for adults from all sources combined.
Information is sourced from public regulatory bodies (EFSA, FDA, WHO) and is for reference only. Always read the package and consult a healthcare professional for medical advice.
Related additives
- E100 Curcumin The yellow pigment extracted from turmeric root, used to colour food.
- E101 Riboflavin Vitamin B2, a yellow-orange vitamin that is also used as a food colour.
- E162 Beetroot red A red-violet pigment (betanin) obtained from red beetroot.
- E163 Anthocyanins Water-soluble red, purple and blue plant pigments used as a food colour.
- E141 Copper complexes of chlorophylls and chlorophyllins A green colour made by replacing the magnesium at the centre of plant chlorophyll with copper.
- E150a Plain caramel The Class I caramel colour, made by heating sugars without ammonia or sulphite reagents.
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