Food supplement E282 - calcium propionate

In order to preserve the freshness of food, the absolute majority of manufacturers use all sorts of food additives - preservatives. One of these additives is E282. Without it, conservation is not enough for the winter. What is this substance? Does it have a harmful effect on the human body?

Description

Calcium Propionate (Calcium Propionate), preservative E282 is a food additive, inorganic substance, a compound of calcium salt and propionic acid. It has the appearance of a colorless crystalline powder or granules, odorless. Such an additive to food is obtained by the reaction of propionic acid with calcium chloride and other Ca-containing substances.

Calcium propionate: formula, chemical properties

E282 has the chemical formula - C6H10O4Ca. The derivative of this additive is propionic acid E280 (also called propane or methylacetic), a food preservative in its pure form, a corrosive liquid with a very sharp odor. The properties of E282 are due to the action of propionic acid. This acid easily reacts with any substances and forms chemical compounds (amides, halogen anhydrides, ethers, etc.), dissolves in any organic solvents, including water. Propionic acid is indispensable in the food and agricultural industries, in the manufacture of cosmetics, solvents and surfactants.

Application

Calcium propionate is widely used in the food industry. This preservative increases the shelf life of food, softens already prepared foods, prevents the formation of bacteria, mold and fungi in them.
Food additive E282 is added to the following products:

• Bread, flour and confectionery;
• Vinegars, grape wines, soy sauces;
• Minced meat and products from them;
• Conservation for the winter;
• Cheese products.

In addition, E282 is used in the manufacture of various wine products to avoid aging beverages. This substance is an unspecified preservative for use in the food industry of the Russian Federation. The list of permitted products for the use of preservative E282, according to paragraph 3.3.17 SanPiN2.3.2.1293-03:

• Processed cheese and articles thereof (the maximum amount of calcium propionate is 3 g per 1 kg of the manufactured product, optionally adding in combination with propionic and sorbic acids or their salts);
• Wheat bread in rifled and prepacked form;
• Rye bread extended shelf life (maximum 3 g per 1 kg of manufactured product);
• Low-calorie bread, baking and pastry flour products (no more than 2 g of preservative per 1 kg of finished product);
• Wheat bread in a long shelf-life, Easter and Christmas cakes (maximum 1 g per 1 kg of manufactured product);
• Cheese and cheese products (for external processing of finished products used in an amount corresponding to the technical instruction, one component or combined with other propionates with conversion to acid).

Also, E282 is used in cosmetics and eye drops. The maximum amount of 2% should be considered as propionic acid.

Calcium propionate: harm

One of the harmful effects of a preservative on a person is considered to be its non-excretion from the body, since calcium propionate is not absorbed, but remains in human organs and tissues for years, while continuing to accumulate. One of the symptoms of the harmful effects of the dietary supplement E282 may be headaches. Especially it is recommended to avoid the use of calcium propionate for people with hypertension. Carcinogenicity in humans has not been studied, it is possible that calcium propionate promotes the development of tumor diseases.

Thus, E282 is a rather dangerous food additive. According to the sanitary norms, calcium propionate is a preservative that is suitable for use in food products. Due to the small amount of calcium, propionate is banned for use in several countries. Until the end, all the possible effects of the food supplement E282 on the human body are still unknown. However, it is known that it tends to accumulate in the human body. Therefore, food products containing calcium propionate should be discarded whenever possible.