E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) vs. E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid)
Comparing 2 standards across 10 specifications. 10 key differences identified.
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.
E407 (Carrageenan) is a high-molecular-weight sulfated polygalactan extracted from red edible seaweeds (Chondrus crispus / Irish Moss). INS 407, ADI is 75 mg/kg bw/day, famed for stabilizing cocoa suspension in chocolate milk via kappa-casein binding.
Specification Comparison Table
10 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
E-Number Code
|
E170 | E407 |
|
INS / Codex Number
|
INS 170(i) | INS 407 |
|
Functional Class
|
Food Color (White / Opacifier), Anti-Caking, Acidity Regulator, Nutrient | Thickener, Gelling Agent, Emulsion Stabilizer |
|
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
|
Not Limited (Quantum Satis) | 75 mg / kg body weight per day |
|
Primary Mechanism
|
High refractive index light scattering creating white opacity; neutralizes acids to calcium salts and CO2 | Negative sulfate esters cross-link with positive charges on milk kappa-casein micelles |
|
Common Target Foods
|
Chewing gum coatings, plant milks (Soy/Almond calcium fortification), baking powders, tablets | Chocolate milks, whipping creams, plant-based milks, deli turkey meats (water binding) |
|
Dietary Compliance
|
Vegan (Mineral limestone), Halal, Kosher | 100% Vegan (Marine seaweed), Halal, Kosher |
|
Safety Approval
|
EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 184.1191) | EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 172.620) |
|
Chemical Formula
|
CaCO3 | — |
|
Major Types
|
— | Kappa (Rigid brittle gel), Iota (Elastic thixotropic gel), Lambda (Non-gelling thickener) |