Calcium acetate is a white powder used as a stabilizer in food and medicine. It is generally safe and extends the shelf life of food. It is used in dairy products, cereals, and pasta. As a medicine, it is used to regulate blood phosphate levels in dialysis patients. Side effects include upset stomach and serious effects if taken in excess. It is considered safe by the FDA and has no serious health risks.
Calcium acetate, or the calcium salt of acetic acid, is a compound made up of calcium, carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. In appearance, calcium acetate is a white granular powder that has no odor. Calcium acetate is used in both the food and pharmaceutical industries in medicines and as a food additive that acts as a stabilizer. The compound is not considered dangerous but may cause irritation in some people.
Calcium acetate is created by making a calcium salt from acetic acid. According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), this substance is considered generally safe on multiple levels. As a substance by itself, it is considered safe. Most FDA regulations cover the use of calcium acetate in foods. As a food coating, ingredient and direct food substance, it is considered safe.
The most prolific use of this compound in the food industry is as a stabilizer. Stabilizers perform different functions in processed foods, mainly in powdered foods but also in liquid and solid foods. They are able to organize flavoring compounds and give the product a uniform texture. With foods that use an emulsifier to bind the ingredients together, calcium acetate further binds the ingredients to ensure nothing separates.
Many dairy products, such as drinks, condensed milk, powdered milk and cream, use calcium acetate. Cereals and batters, together with edible casings for sausages and many types of pasta require this substance for correct production and conservation. It also extends the shelf life of any foods it is used in.
As a medicine, this substance is used to ensure that blood phosphate levels do not become dangerously high for dialysis patients with kidney disease. This drug is often used daily and taken by mouth via a pill or tablet. The most common side effect is an upset stomach, while serious side effects include stomach pain, loss of appetite, or nausea and vomiting. The chances of side effects, especially serious ones, increase if patients take more calcium acetate than directed by a health care professional.
The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) shows that this substance is generally safe. It does not cause serious health risks when inhaled, eaten, or contacts eyes or skin, nor does it have effects expected from chronic exposure. Its MSDS archiving color is green, which means it can be archived generally without worries. It is slightly flammable and has a slight degree of contact, so some sensitive people may experience irritation on contact with it.
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