Calcium Citrate (E333(iii))

Calcium Citrate

Calcium citrate is manufactured by neutralizing citric acid with calcium hydroxide or carbonate followed by spray-drying, used as a calcium source, acidity regulator, sequestrant, and firming agent (INS 333) that provides superior absorption (3.5x better than carbonate), buffer stability across pH 3-10, and chelation of metals preventing discoloration or rancidity. In the food industry, it excels at mineral fortification without chalkiness or bitterness, beverage clarification, and texture control in low-acid systems.

Food Industry Applications

• Beverages: Calcium fortifies soft drinks, juices, energy drinks, and plant milks without precipitation or sediment; sequesters iron/copper preventing flavor reversion and color fading; stabilizes protein beverages preventing gelation during heat processing.

• Bakery products: Provides calcium nutrition and dough conditioning in breads, tortillas, and pancakes strengthening gluten network for better volume; prevents sticky doughs through water-binding; synergizes with enzymes for extended freshness.

• Dairy products: Firms texture in processed cheese preventing oil-off; stabilizes caseins in UHT milks and evaporated products; calcium source for yogurt cultures without curdling low-fat formulations.

• Confectionery: Anti-caking agent in gums, jellies, and compressed tablets preventing stickiness; sequesters trace metals preventing enzymatic browning in fruit chews; provides clean calcium release without grittiness.

• Meat products: Firming agent in injected poultry and restructured hams improving sliceability and purge control; chelates heme iron preventing warmed-over flavor during frozen storage; enhances gelation in comminuted sausages.

Other Industry Applications

In cosmetics, chelates metals in shampoos preventing color fading; in detergents, water softener replacing phosphates; in animal feed, highly absorbable calcium source; in toothpaste, mild abrasive and plaque remover; in agriculture, foliar calcium spray preventing blossom-end rot.