Preservative: Calcium Propionate

Calcium propionate is a salt of propionic acid, a naturally occurring fatty acid. It is manufactured industrially by reacting propionic acid with calcium carbonate or calcium hydroxide.

Manufacturers add calcium propionate to foods as a preservative to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is commonly found in baked goods like breads, rolls, and pastries, as well as in pizza dough and stuffing mixes.

Calcium propionate is Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use as a food preservative. Both the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have evaluated calcium propionate. Studies on its effects at typical consumption levels have not shown adverse health outcomes. Some research has explored potential links to behavioral issues in children, but evidence is mixed and not conclusive.