Food-grade calcium carbonate

Food-grade calcium carbonate,CAS 471-34-1 is a highly refined, pure form of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) that meets stringent international food safety standards. It is a versatile substance, primarily used as a dietary calcium supplement, acidity regulator, anti-caking agent, and processing aid in the food industry.

Key Characteristics and Specifications

Purity and Safety: This is the defining feature. Food-grade calcium carbonate must comply with strict pharmacopoeia standards such as the U.S. Food Chemicals Codex (FCC), the European Union's food additive code E 170, and China's GB 1886.214-2016. These regulations impose very low maximum limits for harmful impurities like heavy metals (lead, arsenic, mercury), fluoride, and alkalinity.

Physical Form: It is typically a fine, white, odorless, and tasteless powder. There are two main types:

Ground Calcium Carbonate (GCC): Produced by physically grinding and purifying natural limestone or marble.

Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (PCC): Synthesized through a chemical reaction, which allows for more precise control over its particle size, shape, and purity. PCC is often favored for high-end applications due to its consistent quality.

Primary Applications in the Food Industry

1. Nutritional Fortification and Supplementation:

This is its most significant use. Food-grade calcium carbonate is a cost-effective and bioavailable source of essential calcium. It is systematically added to a wide range of staples and products to prevent calcium deficiency, including wheat flour, breakfast cereals, infant formula, plant-based milks (soy, almond), fruit juices, and dietary supplements.

2. Acidity Regulator and Leavening Agent:

It acts as a pH adjuster to modify acidity and improve the texture of fermented goods like bread. Furthermore, it is a crucial component of baking powder. When combined with an acid (like cream of tartar) and moisture, it reacts to produce carbon dioxide gas, which causes dough and batters to rise.

3. Food Processing Aid and Functional Additive:

As an anti-caking agent, it is added in small quantities to powdered foods such as table salt, icing sugar, and spices to prevent them from clumping and ensure free flow. In winemaking, it can be used for deacidification to reduce excessive tartness.

4. Whitening Agent and Filler:

Due to its brilliant whiteness and fine texture, it is used as a colorant and bulking agent in certain confectioneries, decorations, and sugar coatings to enhance visual appeal and texture.

5. Animal Nutrition:

While not for direct human consumption, feed-grade calcium carbonate produced under similar controlled conditions is essential for providing calcium in livestock feed and pet food.

Critical Distinction from Other Grades

It is imperative to understand the hierarchy of purity:

Food-Grade (FCC / E 170): Manufactured for direct human consumption. It has the most rigorous safety and purity testing.

Feed-Grade: Intended for animal nutrition. Its impurity limits are less strict than those for food-grade.

Industrial-Grade: Used in plastics, paints, paper, and construction. It is absolutely unsuitable for any food contact and may contain harmful contaminants.

Essential Safety Note:

In any food-related application, only food-grade calcium carbonate must be used. The use of industrial-grade material poses a severe risk of heavy metal poisoning and is strictly prohibited.

Conclusion

In summary, food-grade calcium carbonate (CAS 471-34-1) is a fundamental, safe, and multifunctional food additive. Its primary role as a key nutrient fortificant is complemented by its technical functions in food processing and preservation. Its universal acceptance is rooted in its regulated high purity and proven safety profile for global food supplies.

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