Ingredient Information

Function

Calcium hydroxide is used as an acid regulator and firmer, for example, to make pickles crisp. It is added to infant formula as a source of calcium. Calcium hydroxide is used in pretzel glaze, sour cream, canned vegetables and numerous other processed foods. Calcium hydroxide is a common food additive and food processing aid. As a food additive, it is used to fortify fruit drinks and as a preservative in canned pickles, and is often referred to as pickling lime. In the beverage industry, it is used to purify water for use in soft drinks and alcoholic beverages. In food production, it is used in the processing of lutefisk. The sugar industry also uses calcium hydroxide to aid in the separation of sugar from sugar cane and beets.

Other Use and Industries

As calcium hydroxide is low in toxicity and low cost, it is used in many non-food industries. It is used as a flocculent in waste water and sewage treatment plants. Municipal water treatment facilities use calcium hydroxide to adjust the pH of drinking water which in turn prevents pipe corrosion. It is commonly used as a dental antimicrobial solution and is an ingredient in mortar, plaster, and whitewash. Calcium hydroxide is used as a hair relaxer and is used to remove hair from animal hides in the manufacture of leather.

Health Effects

There are no known hazards from the consumption of calcium hydroxide in foods or beverages.

Origins

The calcium hydroxide used in food is the hydrated form. It is produced by reacting the naturally occurring mineral, calcium oxide, with water. Large scale calcium hydroxide is made by the treatment of lime with water.