FoodScan.ai
English
English
Lietuvių
Polski
Español
Latviešu
Eesti
Suomi
Русский
Scan LabelFood AnalysesFree FromE-NumbersAboutContact
EN
EN
LT
PL
ES
LV
ET
FI
RU
E 213Preservatives

Calcium benzoate

Characteristics

Additive NameCalcium benzoate
E No.E 213
TypeIndividual Substance
In plain language

A synthetic preservative that stops mould and bacteria from growing, mainly used in acidic foods and drinks. It's authorised in very few food categories — a sign regulators keep its use quite restricted. When combined with vitamin C (ascorbic acid), it can form benzene, a known carcinogen — a reaction worth knowing about. EFSA has set an acceptable daily intake, and at normal food levels it's considered safe for most people, though some individuals report sensitivity reactions like hives or asthma.

Source

Want to know if a product you eat contains E 213? Open FoodScan.ai, photograph any food product label and get your analysis.

Open FoodScan.ai