2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-02 16:12
In the modern world, the food industry uses various additives in the production of food products: dyes, flavors, flavor enhancers, stabilizers and others. One of them is the food supplement e238, which is banned in many European countries due to its negative impact on the human body. The substance is used as a preservative, it is used to prevent the reproduction of fungi and pathogenic microbes. In another way, this supplement is called calcium formate.
Description of the substance
Calcium formate (Ca(HCOO)2) is a s alt of formic acid. It has the appearance of a crystalline white powder with a slight odor.
Calcium formate (E238) dissolves well in water, has a density of 1.91 g/cm3, decomposes at 300 degrees Celsius.
Characteristic
Calcium formate is used in many areas, including the food industry. It is a preservative, as it helps to extend the shelf life of products, stopping growth andreproduction of bacteria and fungi that lead to spoilage. Also, the substance is responsible for sterilization, is part of some plants and biological fluids of living organisms.
Use area
In Russia, calcium formate is used in the food industry as a preservative and s alt substitute in the production of soft drinks, as well as in all dietary products. When fermenting vegetables, the substance is also used, as it is able to compact plant tissue, so that the consumer receives crispy canned foods. This substance has one feature, it exhibits antibacterial characteristics only in an acidic environment.
The allowable daily dose of a substance is no more than three grams per kilogram of human body weight. In the production of soft drinks, the additive is used no more than 210 milliliters per liter of liquid.
Earlier, this food additive was used in canning factories when harvesting fish. Today, it is practically not used in this area, since the additive was replaced with less dangerous preservatives.
Calcium formate is used in cosmetology as a substance that prevents spoilage of cosmetic products (no more than 0.5%), in construction to harden concrete. E238 is also used for dyeing fabrics, tanning leather, printing colored wallpapers.
Effect on the body, safety requirements
Calcium formate is a banned food in many countriesadditive, as it has a significant impact on all systems of the human body (the third class of danger). If the use of the additive in the food industry is carried out according to all standards, then it will not bring quick harm. But the substance has the ability to accumulate in the body, its concentration gradually increases. Over time, a person develops an allergy to the additive, irritation of the mucous epithelium and respiratory tract, and a rash occurs on the skin. Thus, it was found that the preservative does not bring benefits to the human body.
It poses a danger to those people who come into contact with this substance. Therefore, when working with the additive, it is necessary to observe safety measures. It is necessary to use personal protective equipment (respirator, overalls, rubber gloves, etc.). In emergency situations, it is necessary to use a gas mask.
Technical calcium formate is non-flammable and non-explosive. It must be stored under certain conditions. Do not smoke or use open flames where it is used, such as in a cannery.
Packaging and storage
The substance is packed in bags of 25 kilograms. Transportation must be carried out in accordance with all the rules developed for such goods. Store the substance on pallets in dry, enclosed spaces that are well ventilated. The shelf life is one year from the date of manufacture of the supplement. The substance is able to absorb water well, so it must be stored in sealed packaging.
This dietary supplement is produced based onchemical industries.
Conclusion
Calcium formate is a food additive, preservative and stabilizer, which is responsible for the safety of food products, stops the growth and reproduction of pathogenic microbes and fungi. Also, the substance is used as a sterilizer to stop the maturation of wines, as well as a disinfectant.
The substance is hydrophilic, so it is often used as an accelerator for hardening concrete and other building mixtures, as well as an anti-frost additive in concrete. Due to the presence of calcium formate in concrete in an amount of 2-4%, its compressive strength increases.
Today this dietary supplement is banned for use in many countries. This is due to the fact that it negatively affects the human body, gradually accumulating in it. The additive requires certain storage and transportation conditions. When working with it, you must use personal protective equipment.
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