Safe
E509 — Calcium chloride
Firming agent
E509 (Calcium chloride), a firming agent, is rated "safe": no significant concern. A simple mineral salt. Used as a firming agent for canned vegetables and tofu, and to fortify milk and bottled water.
What is Calcium chloride?
A mineral salt of calcium and chloride. Used as a firming agent in canned tomatoes and pickles, a coagulant for tofu, a calcium source in plant milks, and to give bottled water a smoother taste.
What does it do to the body?
Provides calcium and chloride your body uses normally. The food-level amounts are well below any safety threshold.
What regulators say
EFSA and the FDA both treat it as a safe additive with no numerical acceptable daily intake.
Risk rating: Safe
Cleared by EFSA with no significant concern at typical dietary exposure. Common, well-studied, and not a reason to put a product back on the shelf.
Frequently asked questions
Is E509 (Calcium chloride) safe?
EFSA and the FDA both treat it as a safe additive with no numerical acceptable daily intake.
What is E509 (Calcium chloride)?
A mineral salt of calcium and chloride. Used as a firming agent in canned tomatoes and pickles, a coagulant for tofu, a calcium source in plant milks, and to give bottled water a smoother taste.
What does Calcium chloride do to the body?
Provides calcium and chloride your body uses normally. The food-level amounts are well below any safety threshold.
What are other names for E509?
E509 is also known as calcium chloride.