What Foods Contain Calcium Sulfate

Calcium sulfate is sometimes used to make tofu.

Image Credit: DAJ/amana images/Getty Images Calcium sulfate, a food additive used to stabilize and firm foods and regulate their acidity levels, is found in a variety of processed foods. In the amounts typically found in food and supplements, calcium sulfate isn’t likely to cause adverse effects and is generally regarded as safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

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Fruits and Vegetables

Fresh fruit and vegetables aren’t likely to contain calcium sulfate, but processed versions are. This includes processed fruits, dried vegetables, canned vegetables, vegetables in sauce and precooked vegetables. Buy fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables if you’re trying to avoid calcium sulfate.

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Dairy and Grain Products

Creams, dairy-based drinks, condensed milk, milk powder, cheese, whey and dairy-based desserts can all contain calcium sulfate. Calcium sulfate is sometimes used as a flour treatment agent, making it common in grain-based foods, such as pastas, breakfast cereals, batters, rice products and bakery products.

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Meat and Other Protein Sources

Calcium sulfate adds calcium to supplements and foods, such as tofu, which contains 14 to 25 percent of the daily value for calcium in each 1/2-cup serving when made with this additive. Other soybean products may also contain calcium sulfate.

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 Acidic calcium sulfate may be used to keep hot dogs from becoming contaminated with the foodborne illness listeria. Sausage casings, processed meats and poultry, preserved seafood products and preserved or dried egg products may also contain calcium sulfate.

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Other Foods

Sherbet, products containing a mix of oil and water, fat spreads, nut butters, candies, custards, sweeteners, seasonings, condiments, sauces, yeast, soups and diet products may contain calcium sulfate. It’s used in many beverages, including energy or sports drinks and alcoholic beverages. Any prepared, ready-to-eat food may also be a source of this additive.

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  references
  
      Codex Alimentarius: Calcium Sulfate
    
      European Food Safety Authority: Calcium Sulphate for Use as a Source of Calcium in Food Supplements
    
      Office of Dietary Supplements: Calcium
    
      Journal of Food Protection: Effectiveness of Acidic Calcium Sulfate With Propionic and Lactic Acid and Lactates as Postprocessing Dipping Solutions to Control Listeria Monocytogenes on Frankfurters With or Without Potassium Lactate and Stored Vacuum Packaged at 4.5°C
       




  references
  
      Codex Alimentarius: Calcium Sulfate
    
      European Food Safety Authority: Calcium Sulphate for Use as a Source of Calcium in Food Supplements
    
      Office of Dietary Supplements: Calcium
    
      Journal of Food Protection: Effectiveness of Acidic Calcium Sulfate With Propionic and Lactic Acid and Lactates as Postprocessing Dipping Solutions to Control Listeria Monocytogenes on Frankfurters With or Without Potassium Lactate and Stored Vacuum Packaged at 4.5°C
    




Calcium sulfate is sometimes used to make tofu.

Image Credit: DAJ/amana images/Getty Images

      Codex Alimentarius: Calcium Sulfate
    
      European Food Safety Authority: Calcium Sulphate for Use as a Source of Calcium in Food Supplements
    
      Office of Dietary Supplements: Calcium
    
      Journal of Food Protection: Effectiveness of Acidic Calcium Sulfate With Propionic and Lactic Acid and Lactates as Postprocessing Dipping Solutions to Control Listeria Monocytogenes on Frankfurters With or Without Potassium Lactate and Stored Vacuum Packaged at 4.5°C