Calcium Benzoate
Calcium Benzoate, also known as E213 or INS 213, is a calcium salt of benzoic acid used as a preservative option for selected acidic and acidified food systems. For industrial food manufacturers, the value of this material is not only the additive name: it is the confirmed grade, assay, regulatory fit, impurity profile, solubility behaviour, pH performance, documentation package and supplier reliability behind each batch.
Food additive use must be verified against the destination market, food category, maximum level and final label requirements.
Product identity
| Product | Calcium Benzoate |
|---|---|
| Alternative names | Calcium dibenzoate; benzoic acid calcium salt |
| Category | Preservatives & Antimicrobials |
| Function | Preservative / antimicrobial shelf-life support |
| E / INS number | E213 / INS 213 |
| CAS / identity | 2090-05-3 |
| EC / EINECS reference | 218-235-4, where applicable to supplier documentation |
| Chemical formula | C14H10CaO4 / Ca(C7H5O2)2 |
| Molar mass | Approx. 282.31 g/mol for the anhydrous form |
| Typical form | White to off-white powder, crystalline powder or granule depending on manufacturing route, particle size and hydration state |
| Key buying point | Confirm whether the offer is food grade, feed grade, technical grade or customer-specific grade before price comparison |
Industrial buying value
Calcium Benzoate is normally reviewed when a buyer needs a benzoate preservative profile with calcium as the counter-ion, controlled documentation and a batch traceable supply route. It may be relevant in formulas where sodium or potassium contribution is being evaluated, but every formulation should be validated through laboratory and production trials.
- Supports shelf-life design in permitted acidic or acidified systems
- Useful where preservative selection is part of a broader sodium, potassium, calcium or label-positioning review
- Can be evaluated against sodium benzoate, potassium benzoate, sorbates and mixed preservative systems
- Requires finished-product pH, water activity and challenge-test review for technical approval
- Best purchased with complete specification, COA, origin and food-grade declarations
Technical overview
Calcium Benzoate belongs to the benzoate preservative family. In practical food formulation, benzoate salts are selected because they are easier to handle and disperse than benzoic acid in many industrial environments, while antimicrobial effectiveness is strongly influenced by the acid-base balance of the finished product. This means purchasing and R&D teams should not approve the product based only on the additive name; they should evaluate pH, preservative target, process flow, ingredient interactions and local legislation together.
For shelf-life work, Calcium Benzoate is normally considered as one part of a wider hurdle system. Acidification, heat treatment, hygiene, water activity, packaging atmosphere, cold chain, preservative distribution and raw-material microbial load can all influence whether the final product remains stable during its intended shelf life.
Functional mechanism and pH logic
Benzoate preservatives are generally most valuable in acidic foods because antimicrobial performance is associated with the undissociated benzoic acid form. As pH rises, the proportion of active undissociated acid decreases, so the same nominal dosage may deliver a different preservation result in different matrices.
- Review finished-product pH, not only the pH of the preservative solution
- Consider buffer capacity from proteins, minerals, phosphates, fruit solids or seasonings
- Validate performance against target spoilage organisms, not only total plate count
- Confirm preservative uniformity after mixing, filling and thermal processing
- Use laboratory challenge testing when shelf-life risk is commercially significant
Process integration notes
Calcium Benzoate should be integrated through a controlled batching procedure. Depending on grade and particle size, manufacturers may pre-dissolve, disperse or meter the material into the water phase before final homogenisation, blending or filling. The process should prevent local concentration hotspots, undissolved particles and inconsistent preservative distribution.
- Define addition point, mixing time, water temperature and filtration requirements
- Check clarity, sediment, turbidity and interaction with minerals or proteins
- Confirm compatibility with acids, colours, flavours, emulsifiers, gums and sweeteners
- Evaluate sensory impact at the intended use level and over shelf life
- Record lot number, dosage calculation and QC release result for traceability
Application fit
Potential use areas may include selected applications below, subject to destination-market permission and product-category limits. The examples are not a universal approval list; they are practical formulation contexts where preservative systems are commonly reviewed by food technologists.
| Application area | Technical reason to evaluate | Buyer / R&D checks |
|---|---|---|
| Acidified sauces, dressings and condiments | Yeast, mould and selected spoilage control in low-pH systems | pH, acid type, oil phase, emulsifier system, preservative distribution and label rules |
| Fruit preparations, fillings and toppings | Shelf-life support where fruit solids, sugar, water activity and pH create preservative demand | Brix, pH, water activity, heat process, fruit particulate load and sensory effect |
| Beverage bases, syrups and concentrates | Preservative option for selected acidic beverage systems where permitted | Solubility, clarity, precipitation, flavour impact, carbonation and local additive limits |
| Pickled vegetables and brine systems | Additional hurdle in acidified brines where yeast or mould stability is critical | Brine pH, salt level, vinegar/acetic acid content, pasteurisation and packaging integrity |
| Bakery fillings and water-based toppings | Protection of high-moisture filling phases when pH and regulation allow use | Moisture migration, water activity, pH drift, heat stability and finished-product declaration |
| Specialty processed food systems | Case-by-case review as part of multi-hurdle preservation design | Food category approval, dosage basis, interaction with proteins/minerals and validation data |
Quality and specification parameters
For industrial purchasing, the most valuable quotation is based on a measurable specification rather than a generic product name. Calcium Benzoate offers should be compared lot-by-lot against the buyer's internal standard, destination-market requirements and finished-product risk profile.
| Specification area | What to request | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | Positive identification method, CAS number, E/INS number and chemical name | Confirms that the offered material matches the intended additive and avoids substitution risk |
| Assay / active content | Assay result and test method; clarify whether values are expressed as Calcium Benzoate or benzoic acid equivalent | Prevents dosing errors and enables accurate comparison between suppliers |
| Physical form | Powder, granule, crystal, particle size, bulk density and flow behaviour | Affects dissolution, dusting, handling, dosing accuracy and warehouse operations |
| Moisture / loss on drying | Moisture, hydration state or loss-on-drying limit | Influences assay calculation, caking tendency, shelf life and storage stability |
| Insoluble matter | Water-insoluble matter, clarity or filtration data where relevant | Important for beverages, syrups, sauces and other products where sediment is unacceptable |
| Impurities | Heavy metals, lead, arsenic, mercury, related substances and residual manufacturing impurities | Supports food-grade compliance, customer audits and export documentation |
| Microbiology | Total plate count, yeast and mould, coliforms and pathogen-related statements when applicable | Required when the preservative is used in sensitive food systems or high-care factories |
| Compliance | Food-grade declaration, allergen statement, GMO statement, halal/kosher if required, and country-specific declarations | Reduces regulatory, label and customer-approval delays |
| Traceability | Manufacturer, country of origin, batch number, production date, retest date and shelf life | Enables supplier qualification, recall readiness and audit trail control |
Formulation and performance checklist
- Finished pH: confirm the actual pH after all ingredients, thermal steps and equilibration time.
- Water activity: evaluate whether preservation is supported by sugar, salt, solids, drying or other water-activity controls.
- Target organisms: define whether the concern is yeast, mould, lactic acid bacteria, acid-tolerant bacteria or general spoilage.
- Ingredient interactions: assess possible interactions with calcium-sensitive systems such as pectin, proteins, phosphates and mineral-balanced formulas.
- Process distribution: confirm that the preservative is fully dispersed before filling and that no sediment appears during storage.
- Sensory profile: review bitterness, aftertaste or flavour shift at the intended use level and throughout shelf life.
- Analytical verification: use a suitable laboratory method to confirm preservative level in finished product where required by customer or authority.
- Packaging: evaluate oxygen exposure, headspace, seal integrity and post-process contamination risk.
Handling, storage and warehouse control
Calcium Benzoate should be handled according to the supplier safety data sheet, food-safety plan and local workplace rules. Industrial buyers should define storage temperature, humidity protection, bag integrity checks, allergen segregation status, pallet condition and first-expiry-first-out control before accepting bulk deliveries.
Storage guidance to confirm
- Recommended storage temperature and humidity range
- Original sealed packaging and moisture protection
- Compatibility with nearby odorous, volatile or allergenic materials
- Retest date, shelf life and conditions for opened bags
- Caking, dusting and flowability behaviour after long storage
Operational handling points
- Use calibrated scales for preservative dosing
- Prevent dust generation during bag emptying and mixing
- Keep lot codes visible until batching records are completed
- Protect opened packaging from moisture and cross-contamination
- Train operators on addition sequence and mixing verification
Packaging and logistics options
Packaging depends on supplier standard, volume and destination requirements. Common industrial inquiries should specify whether the buyer needs small trial packs, 20-25 kg bags, fibre drums, lined cartons, palletised export packaging, private label documents or container-load supply. For export projects, buyers should request pallet dimensions, net/gross weight, HS code guidance, storage conditions, batch coding system and document language before confirming an order.
Regulatory and label diligence
Calcium Benzoate should be treated as a regulated food additive, not a generic commodity. The buyer is responsible for confirming whether E213 / INS 213 is permitted in the finished food category, the maximum level allowed, the calculation basis, carry-over rules, local language declaration and any customer-specific restriction. A supplier can provide documents, but final regulatory approval normally depends on the brand owner, importer, manufacturer and destination-market authority.
Documents to request
- Product specification or technical data sheet with clear grade and test parameters
- Certificate of analysis for available batch or representative lot
- Safety data sheet where applicable
- Food-grade declaration and additive identity confirmation
- Origin statement, manufacturer information and traceability declaration
- Shelf-life, retest date and recommended storage conditions
- Allergen, GMO, vegan/vegetarian, BSE/TSE and irradiation statements where required
- Halal and kosher certificates when required by customer or destination market
- Heavy metals, microbiology and impurity statements where relevant to the buyer specification
- Label draft, packaging details, pallet configuration and net/gross weight
- Market-specific declarations required by the importing country
How to request this product
Send the product name, target grade or reference specification, quantity, destination country, packaging preference, expected shipment date, delivery term and required documents. If you already purchase Calcium Benzoate, attach or describe your current specification, label, certificate of analysis or supplier grade so alternative options can be compared accurately.
For faster review, include the intended application, finished-product pH, food category, target preservative function, required compliance standard and whether the dosage is calculated as Calcium Benzoate, benzoic acid equivalent or another internal basis.
Useful answers
What is Calcium Benzoate used for in food manufacturing?
Calcium Benzoate is typically reviewed as a preservative for selected acidic or acidified food systems where yeast, mould or selected spoilage control is required. Final suitability depends on grade, application, process, target microorganisms, pH, water activity, regulations and supplier documents.
Why does finished-product pH matter?
Benzoate preservatives are generally more effective in acidic systems because antimicrobial performance is linked to the benzoic acid form. Finished-product pH, buffer capacity, acid type and storage conditions should be reviewed before commercial approval.
Can Calcium Benzoate replace sodium benzoate or potassium benzoate?
It may be evaluated as an alternative benzoate salt in some formulations, but it should not be substituted automatically. The buyer should compare solubility, dosage basis, calcium contribution, sensory impact, regulatory permission and finished-product performance.
Can Global Food Additives source Calcium Benzoate?
Global Food Additives can review sourcing options for Calcium Benzoate according to target specification, quantity, destination, packaging, shipment timing and required documentation.
Which documents should be requested?
Buyers commonly request a technical data sheet or specification, certificate of analysis, safety data sheet where applicable, food-grade declaration, origin statement, shelf-life information, label details, packing details and market-specific declarations.
Is this product permitted in every country?
No. Food additive use depends on destination-market rules, food category, maximum level, label requirements and buyer responsibility. Always verify regulatory status before commercial use.
Tell us which food additive or ingredient you need.
Send product names, target specifications, quantity, destination country, packaging preference, delivery term, and document requirements. Our team will review your inquiry and respond from [email protected].
Your message has been received. You will be redirected to the home page.