Calcium Alginate E404 is a food additive that acts as both a stabilizer and a thickener. Calcium Alginate can be used in products like ice cream, salsa, pudding, jam, and some beverages. Though Calcium Alginate E404 is considered safe, some are convinced it has potentially dangerous health effects.
What Is Calcium Alginate E404?
Calcium Alginate E404 is a white to yellow Calcium salt of Alginic acid. The odorless powder has an excellent functionality as a thickening agent, gelling agent, emulsifier, stabilizer, texture-improver (for noodles), to improve the quality of food. Nowadays, based on unique and excellent properties alginate is applied to numerous kinds of food, such as ice cream, jelly, lactic drinks, dressings, instant noodle, beer, et cetera. Alginate is a natural polysaccharide that comprises from 30 to 60% of brown algae(on dry weight basis). Alginate has dietary fibre properties.
Possible Side Effects of Calcium Alginate E404
Although Calcium Alginate E404 generally regarded as a very safe and effective supplement, there can be some minor side effects. The side effects may:
GRAS Affirmation: Yes
Generally recognized as safe (GRAS) is an American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designation that a chemical or substance added to food is considered safe by experts, and so is exempted from the usual Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) food additive tolerance requirements. Calcium Alginate E404 is considered safe.
Suggested Dosage
NA.
Special Populations Precaution
There is a lot of concern about diet and nutrition for these population, like Newborns, children, pregnant, sensitive to Calcium Alginate E404 populations. Better consult to your doctor if you would like to intake Calcium Alginate E404.
Related Research
1. Treatment of pressure sores in spina bifida patients with calcium alginate and foam dressings. [Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2013 Jun] Author: Ausili E, Paolucci V, Triarico S, Maestrini C, Murolo D, Focarelli B, Rendeli C.
2. Tissue-engineered calcium alginate patches in the repair of chronic chinchilla tympanic membrane perforations. [Laryngoscope. 2006 May] Author: Weber DE, Semaan MT, Wasman JK, Beane R, Bonassar LJ, Megerian CA.
3. Calcium alginate as a nasal pack. [Rev Laryngol Otol Rhinol (Bord). 1991] Author: Milford CA, Bleach NR, Sudderick RM, O’Flynn PE, Mugliston TA.
