Is calcium propionate in food harmful to humans?

Calcium propionate is very well known in the field of preservatives because of its wide range of applications and the strong preservative effect it can produce, thus gaining the attention of the industry. The preparation of calcium propionate is also uncomplicated and the current production methods are relatively mature, which has strongly contributed to the development of the calcium propionate industry.

Calcium propionate is a white, monoclinic, crystalline powder with an odour that is odourless or slightly propionic, soluble in water, slightly soluble in methanol, ethanol and insoluble in benzene and acetone. Calcium propionate is generally produced by reacting propionic acid with calcium hydroxide or calcium carbonate. Industry generally uses calcium hydroxide as raw material, mix calcium hydroxide into a suspension in a reaction pot, add propionic acid reaction, end point pH 7~8, filtered and dried to get the finished product. Calcium propionate is a synthetic organic acid salt, which is a safe and reliable preservative for food and feed approved by the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Research has proven that calcium propionate has strong inhibitory and bactericidal activity against bacteria and moulds and is widely used in the food and feed industry. Calcium propionate is widely used as a preservative in the food industry. It can extend the shelf life of food and is widely used in the food processing industry for bread, cakes, beverages and cereals. A certain concentration of calcium propionate has a strong inhibitory effect on microorganisms on the surface of beef, so it can be added to food in appropriate amounts. In addition, calcium propionate also has a strong inhibitory effect on Listeria monocytogenes, further eliminating the potential for unsafe consumption in frozen fresh beef.

Calcium propionate also has a very important role in livestock production, in addition to preventing metabolic diseases in animals, it also has a significant role in promoting animal growth. Calcium propionate is hydrolysed in the body to produce propionic acid, which is involved in the regulation of animal feed intake. The addition of calcium propionate to feed can increase animal feed intake and promote animal energy metabolism. Calcium propionate is also used as a feed preservative. In feed, calcium propionate is sensitive to moulds and gram-negative bacteria, and has unique anti-mould and preservative properties. In recent years, as the use of antibiotics and other pharmaceutical additives has been restricted, calcium propionate and sodium propionate are often used as acidifying agents in the feed industry, playing a positive role in preventing disease and improving the immunity of animals.

In recent years, more and more research has been reported on the application of calcium propionate in animal production. With the restricted use of antibiotics and other pharmaceutical additives, the application of calcium propionate will have a very promising future.