# item.guide
Side-by-Side Comparison Food Additives & E-Numbers

E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) vs. E306: Tocopherol-Rich Extract (Natural Vitamin E Antioxidant)

Comparing 2 standards across 10 specifications. 9 key differences identified.

Comparing:
E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking)
E306: Tocopherol-Rich Extract (Natural Vitamin E Antioxidant)

E170 (Calcium Carbonate / CaCO3) is a fine mineral salt mined from limestone or precipitated synthetically. INS 170(i), ADI is Not Limited (Quantum Satis), serving as a white surface colorant, acidity buffer, anti-caking agent, and calcium nutrient fortificant.

View full E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) spec sheet →

E306 is a natural mixture of alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-tocopherols steam-distilled from vegetable oils (soybean, sunflower). INS 306, ADI is Not Limited, serving as the gold standard lipid-soluble antioxidant in fats and oils.

View full E306: Tocopherol-Rich Extract (Natural Vitamin E Antioxidant) spec sheet →

Specification Comparison Table

10 Parameters
Parameter / Spec
E-Number Code
E170 E306
INS / Codex Number
INS 170(i) INS 306
Functional Class
Food Color (White / Opacifier), Anti-Caking, Acidity Regulator, Nutrient Antioxidant (Lipid Peroxidation Inhibitor)
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
Not Limited (Quantum Satis) Not Limited (Quantum Satis)
Primary Mechanism
High refractive index light scattering creating white opacity; neutralizes acids to calcium salts and CO2 Free-radical scavenger donating phenolic hydrogen atoms to peroxyl radicals (ROO•), breaking lipid auto-oxidation chain
Common Target Foods
Chewing gum coatings, plant milks (Soy/Almond calcium fortification), baking powders, tablets Vegetable cooking oils, margarines, infant formula, fish oil capsules, potato crisps
Dietary Compliance
Vegan (Mineral limestone), Halal, Kosher 100% Vegan (Plant oil distillate), Halal, Kosher Certified
Safety Approval
EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 184.1191) EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 184.1890)
Chemical Formula
CaCO3
Active Isomers
d-Gamma-Tocopherol, d-Delta-Tocopherol, d-Alpha-Tocopherol

Other Alternatives to Compare

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Anti-Caking) vs. E163: Anthocyanins (Grape Skin & Berry Red/Purple) → Compare E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) vs. E200: Sorbic Acid (Antifungal Preservative) → Compare E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) vs. E202: Potassium Sorbate (Soluble Antimicrobial) → Compare E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) vs. E211: Sodium Benzoate (Acid Beverage Preservative) → Compare E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) vs. E220: Sulfur Dioxide (Antioxidant & Wine Preservative) → Compare E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) vs. E224: Potassium Metabisulfite (Campden Salt) → Compare E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) vs. E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) → Compare E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) vs. E251: Sodium Nitrate (Chile Saltpeter / Slow Curing) → Compare E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) vs. E260: Acetic Acid (Vinegar Acidulant / Preservative) → Compare E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) vs. E270: Lactic Acid (Biological Acidulant) → Compare E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) vs. E282: Calcium Propionate (Bread Anti-Mold) → Compare E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) vs. E290: Carbon Dioxide (Carbonation & MAP Gas) → Compare E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) vs. E300: L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C Antioxidant & Flour Improver) → Compare E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) vs. E322: Lecithin (Phospholipid Emulsifier & Viscosity Reducer) → Compare E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) vs. E330: Citric Acid (Universal Acidulant / Chelator) → Compare E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) vs. E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) → Compare E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) vs. E338: Phosphoric Acid (Cola Acidulant) → Compare E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) vs. E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) → Compare E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) vs. E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) → Compare E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) vs. E410: Locust Bean Gum (Carob Bean Gum / LBG) → Compare E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) vs. E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) → Compare E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) vs. E414: Gum Arabic (Acacia Gum Emulsifier) → Compare E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) vs. E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) → Compare E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) vs. E422: Glycerol (Glycerin Humectant & Solvent) → Compare E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) vs. E440: Pectin (Citrus & Apple Jam Gelling Fiber) → Compare E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) vs. E460: Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC / Dietary Bulking) → Compare E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) vs. E471: Mono- & Diglycerides of Fatty Acids (Bread Softener) → Compare E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) vs. E500: Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda / Ins 500ii) → Compare E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) vs. E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) → Compare E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) vs. E503: Ammonium Bicarbonate (Baker's Ammonia / Hartshorn) → Compare E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) vs. E509: Calcium Chloride (Firming Agent / Cheese Salt) → Compare E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) vs. E621: Monosodium Glutamate (MSG / Umami Flavor Enhancer) → Compare E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) vs. E627: Disodium Guanylate (GMP Umami Synergist) → Compare E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) vs. E631: Disodium Inosinate (IMP Meat Umami Synergist) → Compare E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) vs. E635: Disodium 5'-Ribonucleotides (I+G Blend) → Compare E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) vs. E950: Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K / 200x Sweetener) → Compare E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) vs. E951: Aspartame (Dipeptide Sweetener / 200x) → Compare E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) vs. E955: Sucralose (Splenda / 600x Heat-Stable Sweetener) → Compare E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) vs. E960: Steviol Glycosides (Reb-A / Stevia Extract) → Compare E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) vs. E965: Maltitol (Sugar Alcohol / 90% Sweetness) → Compare E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) 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