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

E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) vs. E509: Calcium Chloride (Firming Agent / Cheese Salt)

Comparing 2 standards across 9 specifications. 8 key differences identified.

Comparing:
E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking)
E509: Calcium Chloride (Firming Agent / Cheese Salt)

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 →

E509 (Calcium Chloride / CaCl2) is an inorganic calcium mineral salt. INS 509, ADI is Not Limited (Quantum Satis), serving as a crucial firming agent in canned tomatoes, tofu coagulant, and rennet coagulation restorer in pasteurized milk cheese making.

View full E509: Calcium Chloride (Firming Agent / Cheese Salt) spec sheet →

Specification Comparison Table

9 Parameters
Parameter / Spec
E-Number Code
E170 E509
INS / Codex Number
INS 170(i) INS 509
Functional Class
Food Color (White / Opacifier), Anti-Caking, Acidity Regulator, Nutrient Firming Agent, Coagulant, Sequestrant, Electrolyte
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
Not Limited (Quantum Satis) Not Limited (Quantum Satis)
Chemical Formula
CaCO3 CaCl2
Primary Mechanism
High refractive index light scattering creating white opacity; neutralizes acids to calcium salts and CO2 Divalent Ca2+ ions cross-link pectin galacturonan chains in plant cell walls and bridge casein micelles in milk
Common Target Foods
Chewing gum coatings, plant milks (Soy/Almond calcium fortification), baking powders, tablets Canned whole peeled tomatoes (prevents mushiness), pasteurized cheese vats, soy tofu coagulation, sports pickles
Dietary Compliance
Vegan (Mineral limestone), Halal, Kosher Vegan (Natural brine/limestone salt), Halal, Kosher
Safety Approval
EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 184.1191) EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 184.1193)

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/ 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. E306: Tocopherol-Rich Extract (Natural Vitamin E Antioxidant) → 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: 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/ 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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