Calcium Carbonate(E170)
Level 2 — Generally safeIn Winter's Dictionary2 sources
Calcium Carbonate is a acidulant — Alkali to reduce acidity in wine (up to 2.5%), neutralizer for ice cream, firming additive
What it does
Alkali to reduce acidity in wine (up to 2.5%), neutralizer for ice cream, firming additive
Where you'll see it
Wine, ice cream, cream syrups, confections, baking powder, dentifrices
What the research says
Can cause constipation. Mice studies: lower weight/number of litters at 220-880x human intake; highest level caused heart enlargement. In humans, 500 mg/kg fed to ulcer victims caused excess calcium in blood, nausea, weakness, dizziness.
[ultra-processed-people] Boundary case: calcium carbonate added to wheat flour by UK law does NOT make a product UPF. Van Tulleken uses this to make Xand's sausage-roll call — calcium carbonate is chalk, mandated, and benign as a marker. Same logic for iron, thiamine and niacin.
Regulatory status
- US FDA: GRAS
- EU: approved
- Notes: ASP; FDA withdrew use as coloring in 1988
Sources
- Ultra-Processed People (van Tulleken) — Chapter 20: What to do if you want to stop eating UPF: It doesn't count as a 'funky' ingredient because it's added by law to most white wheat flour. It's chalk
- A Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives (Winter): Calcium carbonate can cause constipation