preservative INS 213

Calcium benzoate E213

antimicrobial — Primarily synthetic.

🇪🇺 EU: Approved

🇺🇸 USA: Approved

🇯🇵 Japan: Approved

🇦🇺 AU/NZ: Approved

🇨🇦 Canada: Approved

Scientific Name

Calcium dibenzoate

CAS: 2090-05-3

Data verified: 2026-04-04

Factual Regulatory Reference

This database provides factual regulatory information compiled from official government sources. It does not constitute medical, nutritional, or safety advice. Regulatory status varies by country and is subject to change. Always refer to your local regulatory authority for the most current information.

What Is Calcium benzoate?

Calcium benzoate is a calcium salt of benzoic acid used as a preservative in acidic foods and beverages. It shares the antimicrobial mechanism of the benzoate family — disrupting cell membrane transport and inhibiting enzymatic function in yeasts and molds. The group ADI for benzoic acid and its salts is 5 mg/kg body weight (JECFA/EFSA). While permitted in many jurisdictions, it is less commonly used than sodium or potassium benzoate due to lower solubility.

? Did You Know?

To reach the Acceptable Daily Intake limit, a 60kg adult would need to consume approximately ~2000 ml of soft drink with calcium benzoate (150ppm) in a single day. (This is a mathematical illustration, not a safety recommendation.)

Detailed Regulatory Assessment

🇪🇺

European Union (EFSA)

approved Max: varies by food category mg/kg

Same limits as E210-E219 expressed as benzoic acid

Official EFSA Link

🇺🇸

United States (FDA)

approved GRAS

Approved as antimicrobial preservative

🇯🇵

Japan (MHLW)

approved Cat: 指定添加物

Permitted preservative

Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)

International Standard (JECFA)

0–5 mg/kg bw/day (as benzoic acid)

mg/kg body weight per day

European Standard (EFSA)

5 mg/kg bw/day (as benzoic acid)

Everyday Perspective

For a 60kg adult, this limit is roughly equivalent to consuming:

~2000 of ml of soft drink with calcium benzoate (150ppm)

~0.15mg per serving

Natural Occurrence

This additive is not known to occur naturally in significant quantities.

Manufacturing

Method: chemical synthesis

Produced by neutralizing benzoic acid with calcium hydroxide or calcium carbonate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Calcium benzoate (E213)?

Calcium benzoate (E213) is a preservative used in food products. It is antimicrobial and synthetic. A preservative in the benzoate family, used to prevent microbial growth in acidic foods and beverages.

What is the ADI for Calcium benzoate?

The Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) for Calcium benzoate is 0–5 mg/kg bw/day (as benzoic acid) as established by JECFA (Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives). ADI represents the amount that can be consumed daily over a lifetime without appreciable health risk.

What foods contain Calcium benzoate?

Calcium benzoate is used in various food categories including Multiple food categories. It is used as a preservative in these products.

Primary Research & Evidence