Foods Containing E526 (Calcium Hydroxide)
E526 (Calcium Hydroxide) is a mineral alkali produced from limestone, used as a acidity regulator to help control the acidity or alkalinity of food. Here's where you're most likely to find it on food labels.
Common foods that contain E526
E526 is used across baked goods, soft drinks, sweets, dairy products and processed foods. The foods where it appears most often include:
- Baked goods
- Soft drinks
- Sweets
- Dairy products and processed foods
Exact usage varies by brand and recipe — the only way to know for certain whether a specific product contains E526 is to check its ingredients list, where it must be declared by law, either as "E526" or as "Calcium Hydroxide".
How to spot E526 on a label
In the UK and EU, additives must appear in the ingredients list with their function and either their E-number or full name — for example "acidity regulators: E526" or "acidity regulators: calcium hydroxide". In the US the E-number system isn't used, so look for the full name "Calcium Hydroxide" instead.
Should you avoid foods containing E526?
E526 is considered safe. It is authorised across the EU, UK and US, and safety evaluations by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have not identified health concerns at the levels used in food. For most people there is no reason to avoid E526.
Full guide to E526: safety, vegan and halal status →
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Additive data sourced from Open Food Facts (ODbL licence) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).