E404Carrier · Humectant · Sequestrant · Stabiliser · Thickener
Calcium alginate
What the research shows
PrototypeNot enough
published research on this page yet
2 health findings on this page so far · See the findings
Used in food as a carrier, humectant, sequestrant, stabiliser or thickener.
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- EU permitted
What research says
Studies in people
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Benefit
Blood fat after meals1
In people, calcium alginate taken with a fatty meal led to lower blood fat levels afterward.
Animal and lab studies only
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Benefit
Blood sugar after meals3
In lab studies, calcium alginate blocks an enzyme that turns starch into sugar, which may blunt the blood sugar rise after eating.
How it’s made and used
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Food poisoning bacteria on fish2
Calcium alginate coatings with lysozyme slowed the growth of Listeria and Salmonella on smoked salmon kept cold.
The signal at the top counts the findings in people and in animal and lab studies. A concern in studies of people outranks animal and lab studies, and “No concerns” needs at least two findings in people. Findings whose study type is not stated are shown but not counted. This page is a reference, not medical advice. It describes what regulators and published research say. Talk to a doctor or dietitian about your own diet.
Regulatory status
Checked Sep 2026-
United States Permitted FDA 21 CFR 184.1187
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European Union Permitted EUR-Lex Reg. (EC) 1333/2008
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United Kingdom Permitted FSA retained EU law
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Canada Permitted Health Canada · Emulsifying Gelling Stabilizing Thickening Agents
Status reflects the named register on the date checked. It is not a safety rating.
How we checkProducts
The 6 most-scanned of 153 products on Open Food Facts that list calcium alginate.
- 2 Sausages Quorn · 12 sausages 4 additives
- 8 Sausages Quorn · 336 g 4 additives
- 14 Cocktail Sausages (Quorn) Quorn · 140 g 7 additives
- 20 Cocktail Sausages Quorn · 200 g 7 additives
- Chicken Sausages ASHFIELDS 4 additives
- Chicken sausages (garlic & herb) Aldi · 340 g 4 additives
References
- 1Namiki Y, Kimura S, Sasaki R, et al. Effect of Calcium Alginate on the Suppression of Postprandial Elevation of Serum Triglyceride Level in Humans-A Placebo-Controlled, Randomized, Double-Blind, Crossover Study. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2025;71(5):467-473. doi:10.3177/jnsv.71.467
- 2Datta S, Janes ME, Xue QG, Losso J, La Peyre JF. Control of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella anatum on the surface of smoked salmon coated with calcium alginate coating containing oyster lysozyme and nisin. J Food Sci. 2008;73(2):M67-71. doi:10.1111/j.1750-3841.2007.00633.x
- 3Idota Y, Kato T, Shiragami K, et al. Mechanism of Suppression of Blood Glucose Level by Calcium Alginate in Rats. Biol Pharm Bull. 2018;41(9):1362-1366. doi:10.1248/bpb.b18-00155