Calcium Oxide

Calcium Oxide carries a safety score of 3/5 and appears in 14 indexed US food products.

Safety score 60.0%

3/5 from FDA SAFFA + CSPI Chemical Cuisine

How common is vs other flagged additives?

Number of indexed products containing each of the most common flagged additives — Calcium Oxide highlighted.

Indexed products containing each flagged additive. Source: Open Food Facts ingredient lists × FDA SAFFA × CSPI Chemical Cuisine.

Caramel Coloring22612Red 4021595Yellow 518987Carrageenan17853Blue 116643Yellow 613560Sucralose10490Calcium Oxide14
Indexed products containing each flagged additive. Source: Open Food Facts ingredient lists × FDA SAFFA × CSPI Chemical Cuisine.
FDA Status
GRAS
Safety Score
3/5

Function

ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT, DOUGH STRENGTHENER, FIRMING AGENT, NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT, PH CONTROL AGENT, PROCESSING AID, TEXTURIZER

Safety Assessment

Calcium Oxide has a moderate safety profile (3/5). While approved for use, some studies or consumer advocacy groups have raised questions about certain aspects of this ingredient. Consumers who prefer caution may wish to limit intake.

What the Data Says About

Calcium Oxide currently appears in 14 products across the OpenFoodFacts catalog we index, which gives a concrete measure of its footprint on US grocery shelves. Our internal safety score of 3/5 synthesizes FDA Substances Added to Food (SAFFA) regulatory status — currently "GRAS" — with the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) Chemical Cuisine classification. These two frameworks capture different questions: regulators ask whether exposure at typical intake is acceptable, while consumer-advocacy groups examine cumulative dietary load and vulnerable-population risk.

In food manufacturing, Calcium Oxide functions as a anticaking agent or free-flow agent, dough strengthener, firming agent, nutrient supplement, ph control agent, processing aid, texturizer. That technical role explains why it recurs across many product categories — formulators select specific additives for stability, shelf life, color, or texture performance, and substitution is rarely a one-for-one swap when regulations or consumer preferences shift. Inspection and outbreak data often trace back to breakdown in the control of exactly these kinds of functional ingredients, either through contaminated batches, undisclosed substitutions, or labeling errors that trigger FDA-initiated recalls.

No specific concern flags are attached to Calcium Oxide in our current data snapshot beyond the regulatory and CSPI classifications above. That does not rule out individual sensitivity reactions, and anyone managing allergies, elimination diets, or chronic conditions should verify with a qualified healthcare professional before relying on population-level ratings.

Safety Profile at a Glance

Regulatory and safety classifications for Calcium Oxide
Source Classification Year
FDA SAFFA GRAS 2024
CSPI Chemical Cuisine Not rated 2024
PlainFoodSafe Score 3/5 2026
Product footprint 14 products OpenFoodFacts

FDA SAFFA database, CSPI Chemical Cuisine ratings, OpenFoodFacts product index. See methodology.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Calcium Oxide safe to eat?

Calcium Oxide has a safety score of 3/5. FDA status: GRAS. Always check with a healthcare provider if you have specific dietary concerns.

What products contain Calcium Oxide?

Calcium Oxide is found in 14 products in our database, spanning various food categories and brands.

What does Calcium Oxide do in food?

Calcium Oxide is used as a anticaking agent or free-flow agent, dough strengthener, firming agent, nutrient supplement, ph control agent, processing aid, texturizer in food products.

Where does this ingredient safety data come from?

Safety data comes from the FDA's SAFFA (Substances Added to Food) database, CSPI (Center for Science in the Public Interest) ratings, and the OpenFoodFacts product database. Product counts reflect items cataloged in OpenFoodFacts.