Ingredient

Added To Help Maintain Firmness

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Source
Not animal-derived
Allergen
No
Role in food
Manufacturers add calcium chloride to foods to help maintain firmness, especially in canned fruits …

What it is

Calcium chloride is a salt made from chlorine and calcium. It is often produced industrially from limestone or as a byproduct of the Solvay process for making soda ash. It appears as white crystals or granules and dissolves easily in water.

Why it's used

Manufacturers add calcium chloride to foods to help maintain firmness, especially in canned fruits and vegetables. It can also be used as a flavor enhancer in some products, such as pickles and olives, and in cheesemaking to help coagulate milk proteins. It is commonly found in canned vegetables, frozen dinners, and pickled products.

Health notes

Calcium chloride is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use in food. It is a source of calcium, an essential nutrient. International bodies like JECFA have evaluated calcium chloride. At typical dietary levels, it is not associated with adverse health effects.

Allergen info

Calcium chloride is not derived from any of the nine FDA major allergens. It does not contain gluten.

Products containing Added To Help Maintain Firmness

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Vitarroz International Foods LLC Vitarroz, Pinto Beans Canned & Bottled Beans 59kcal 2.9Protein 0.4Fat 10.3Carbs Iberia, Pinto Beans Iberia Foods Corporation Iberia, Pinto Beans Canned & Bottled Beans 59kcal 2.9Protein 0.4Fat 10.3Carbs Full Effect Records Light Red Kidney Beans Canned & Bottled Beans 84kcal 6.1Protein 0Fat 14.5Carbs Iberia Foods Corporation Iberia, Red Kidney Beans Canned & Bottled Beans 84kcal 6.1Protein 0.4Fat 14.5Carbs Iga, Inc. Garbanzo Beans Canned & Bottled Beans 100kcal 4.6Protein 1.5Fat 16.1Carbs Iga, Inc. Dark Red Kidney Beans Canned & Bottled Beans 92kcal 4.6Protein 0.4Fat 16.1Carbs Culinaire Inc. El Burro Chicken Chipotle Burrito Frozen Dinners & Entrees High in sodium — 30% DV per serving High in saturated fat — 25% DV per serving 224kcal 12.3Protein 9.4Fat 22.4Carbs Culinaire Inc. Beef Enchilada Burrito Frozen Dinners & Entrees High in sodium — 47% DV per serving 300kcal 8.8Protein 8.2Fat 47.6Carbs Iga, Inc. Great Northern Beans Canned & Bottled Beans 85kcal 4.6Protein 0.8Fat 18.5Carbs Iga, Inc. Black Beans Canned & Bottled Beans High in sodium — 22% DV per serving 85kcal 4.6Protein 0.4Fat 16.1Carbs Iga, Inc. Light Red Kidney Beans Canned & Bottled Beans 92kcal 5.4Protein 0.8Fat 16.1Carbs Iga, Inc. Medium Lima Beans Canned & Bottled Beans 88kcal 4Protein 0.4Fat 16.8Carbs
Salt (22 products) Water (22 products) Calcium Chloride (21 products) Added (13 products) Disodium EDTA (11 products) Calcium Disodium EDTA (8 products) Pinto Beans (4 products) Sugar (4 products) Sodium Metabisulfite (4 products) Light Red Kidney Beans (3 products)

Last updated: September 28, 2026

Note: This site presents label data from USDA FoodData Central for general information. It is not medical advice. Check the package label; formulations change.