E509Stabiliser · Thickener · Coagulant

Calcium chloride

What the research shows

Concerning

in animal and lab studies only

Used in food as a stabiliser, thickener or coagulant.

  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian
  • EU permitted

What research says

Animal and lab studies only

  • Concern

    Fish embryo development1

    In lab studies, calcium chloride above 0.4% harmed zebrafish embryos' development and heart and nerve activity.

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 one finding in people. When most findings in people point one way, the page leans that way (“Mostly”), and every finding is still shown. 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.

What expert reviews concluded

Expert panels that weigh all the research. Shown for context: the signal at the top does not count them.

Regulatory status

Checked Sep 2026

Status reflects the named register on the date checked. It is not a safety rating.

How we check

Products

The 6 most-scanned of 12,948 products on Open Food Facts that list calcium chloride.

  • Sensations Thai Sweet Chilli Crisps Walkers · 150 g 2 additives
  • Jalapeño Ramona's Heavenly Houmous Ramona's · 500 g 3 additives
  • Big Mac McDonald's · 232 g 18 additives
  • Purified Water Member's Mark · 40 pk. 16.9oz 0 additives
  • Organic Super Firm Tofu Plant Menu · 200 g 2 additives
  • Mince Quorn · 500 g 2 additives

References

  1. 1Bailone RL, Fukushima HCS, de Aguiar LK, Borra RC. Calcium Chloride Toxicology for Food Safety Assessment Using Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Embryos. Comp Med. 2022;72(5):342-348. doi:10.30802/AALAS-CM-22-000009