Calcium Propionate E282
Standard food grade calcium propionate for permitted preservation applications. The reference specification and example test results supplied for this page appear below.
Best inquiry detail: required limits and marketFood preservative · Antimould · E282
Calcium propionate is a food preservative used to help control mould and rope spoilage, particularly in bread and bakery products. Standard E282 food grade, FCC grade and blended calcium propionate options are available for different customer requirements.
Tell us whether you need standard E282, FCC or a blended product, plus your quantity, application and destination.
Product overview
Calcium propionate, also called calcium propanoate, is the calcium salt of propionic acid. It is identified as E282 in the European food-additive numbering system and INS 282 in Codex references. Food grade material is typically supplied as white crystals, powder or granules with no more than a faint propionic-acid odour.
In suitable food systems, dissolved propionate helps inhibit mould and rope-forming microorganisms. Practical performance depends on product pH, water activity, process conditions, dosage, distribution in the formulation and the target organism, so commercial recipes should be confirmed through trials and regulatory review.
Match the product to your market
“Food grade” is not enough information for a precise quotation. State the required specification, destination market and application so sales can confirm the correct product and documentation.
FCC and blended calcium propionate options may use different specifications from the standard E282 table below. Contact sales with your application and acceptance criteria.
Preservation applications
Permitted categories and use levels vary by jurisdiction. The buyer is responsible for confirming local regulations, formulation suitability and label requirements.
Helps control mould and rope spoilage in suitable bread, rolls, buns and other yeast-leavened bakery products.
Used in selected tortillas, flatbreads, cakes and bakery mixes after process and sensory validation.
May be used for preservation in permitted cheese categories under the applicable market rules.
A preservation option for qualifying confectionery, frosting, pudding and filling systems.
May support microbial control in permitted fruit preparations, jams and jellies.
Standard or blended calcium propionate can be incorporated into dry premixes for controlled distribution and dosing.
Technical information
The specification limits and test results below reproduce the information supplied for this page. The results represent a sample or batch reference and are not a standing guarantee for future shipments. Contractual acceptance must use the approved specification and shipment COA.
| Test parameter | Unit | Specification | Example result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assay | % | 99.0–100.5 | 99.51 |
| Water | % | ≤ 4.0 | 3.2 |
| pH of 10% aqueous solution at 25°C | — | 7.5–10.5 | 8.0 |
| Heavy metals (as Pb) | mg/kg | ≤ 10 | < 10 |
| Fluoride (F) | % | ≤ 0.003 | < 0.003 |
| Water-insoluble matter | % | ≤ 0.2 | 0.12 |
| Magnesium (as MgO) | % | ≤ 0.4 | < 0.4 |
“The goods are of food grade and fit for human consumption.” This conclusion belongs to the supplied example result sheet; each commercial shipment should be assessed against its own COA and agreed requirements.
Specification note: The supplied “Pb²⁺ (Heavy metals)” item has been presented as “Heavy metals (as Pb)” for clarity. Confirm the analytical method and whether a separate lead limit is required by your customer standard or destination market.
See the FAO/WHO JECFA calcium propionate monograph, U.S. eCFR 21 §184.1221 and NIH PubChem compound record. Legal use must be checked for the destination market and finished food.
Storage & handling
Buyer questions
It is used as a preservative, antimould and antirope ingredient. It is especially associated with bread and baked goods, and may also be used in other food categories where destination-market regulations permit.
In a suitable formulation, propionate ions help inhibit mould and rope-forming microorganisms. Results depend on pH, moisture, dosage, process, distribution and the microbial challenge, so shelf-life trials remain essential.
E282 or INS 282 identifies calcium propionate as a food additive. FCC refers to a Food Chemicals Codex specification. State the required FCC edition, customer limits and destination market so sales can confirm the correct product and documents.
Yes. Blended calcium propionate is available for different customer and application needs. Contact sales with your formulation, process, dosing method, target shelf life and acceptance criteria so the appropriate composition can be discussed.
Yes. Request the documents applicable to the exact standard or blended product being evaluated. A shipment COA should be checked against the agreed purchase specification.
Provide the required grade or blend, specification, quantity, packaging, destination country or port, intended food application and target delivery date.
Start a sourcing conversation
Share the technical and logistics details that determine product selection and landed cost. Sales can then respond with the relevant specification, documents and commercial proposal.