Calcium carbonate

Calcium carbonate is an inorganic mineral compound occurring naturally as chalk, limestone, and marble. As a food additive (E170), it serves multiple functions: as a white colourant and opacity enhancer in confectionery coatings, as a calcium-fortification agent, as an anti-caking ingredient in powdered foods, and as an acidity regulator. Its versatility means it appears across a wide range of food categories simultaneously serving different technical purposes.

JECFA determined that no numerical ADI was necessary for calcium carbonate, as it is a normal component of food and water and is efficiently handled by the body through established mineral metabolism pathways. The calcium it provides is nutritionally beneficial for most populations.

Calcium carbonate is approved in every major regulatory jurisdiction worldwide, including the EU (E170), the United States (GRAS), Japan, and Korea. It is one of the most widely used and safest food additives on the market. Consumers may also recognise it as the active ingredient in many antacid tablets. Its presence in an ingredient list is generally reassuring rather than a concern, and it carries no special labelling requirements in any jurisdiction.