Calcium Citrate E333
Calcium Citrate is a food-grade calcium salt of citric acid used in selected applications for acidity regulation, buffering, calcium fortification, mineral balance, sequestration and firming support. It is especially relevant for food and beverage manufacturers that need a calcium source with a mild taste profile, citrate functionality and controlled specification for industrial processing.
Global Food Additives supports beverage producers, dairy manufacturers, plant-based drink formulators, confectionery producers, sauce manufacturers, nutritional product companies and ingredient distributors with Calcium Citrate sourcing, specification review, technical document collection, packaging coordination and export-ready quotation support.
Product identity
| Product | Calcium Citrate |
|---|---|
| Common additive reference | E333 / INS 333 |
| CAS / identity | 813-94-5 |
| Common chemical description | Calcium salt of citric acid |
| Related forms | Monocalcium citrate, dicalcium citrate and tricalcium citrate may be referenced under calcium citrates depending on specification and market rules. |
| Category | Acidulants & Acidity Regulators |
| Functional class | Acidity regulator / buffering ingredient / calcium source / sequestrant / firming agent |
| Typical form | White to off-white powder, fine powder, granular powder or customer-specified food-grade form |
| Commercial focus | Food-grade compliance, calcium assay, particle size control, low impurity profile, batch traceability and complete technical documentation |
Application fit
Potential use areas should be checked against destination-market rules, finished-food category, nutrient-claim rules and customer requirements. Typical technical review areas may include:
- Calcium-fortified beverages and powdered drink mixes
- Dairy drinks, yogurts, desserts and dairy-based nutritional products
- Plant-based beverages, protein drinks and meal-replacement systems
- Confectionery, gummies, tablets and compressed nutritional formats
- Sauces, dressings, fruit preparations and acidified food systems
- Bakery, cereal, instant powder and dry premix applications
- Food supplements and nutraceutical products where food-grade material is required
Technical function in food systems
Calcium Citrate contributes calcium and citrate functionality to food systems. As a citrate salt, it can participate in pH control, buffering, mineral balance and chelation-related stabilization. As a calcium source, it may support calcium fortification and mineral nutrition targets. Its relatively mild sensory profile compared with some inorganic calcium sources can be useful in applications where chalkiness, bitterness, metallic notes or high reactivity must be controlled.
Because Calcium Citrate is only sparingly soluble in water, the most important formulation questions are not only chemical identity but also particle size, dispersion behavior, suspension stability, mouthfeel, sedimentation tendency, pH, processing temperature, hydration time and interaction with stabilizers. In beverages, dairy systems and plant-based drinks, successful use often depends on whether the product is designed as a clear solution, cloudy beverage, suspension, emulsion or powder-to-liquid system.
Functional benefits to evaluate
- Calcium contribution for fortified foods and beverages
- Buffering support in acidified and mildly acidic systems
- Mineral-balance support in dairy and plant-based formulations
- Reduced harshness compared with some more alkaline calcium sources
- Potential firming support in selected fruit and vegetable systems
- Compatibility with citrate-based acidity regulation strategies
- Useful sensory profile for powders, tablets and nutritional products
- Stable dry-powder format for premixes and export logistics
Key formulation variables
| Solubility | Calcium Citrate is sparingly soluble, so suspension design and particle size are critical in liquids. |
|---|---|
| Particle size | Fine grades may improve mouthfeel and suspension; coarser grades may improve handling and reduce dust. |
| pH | pH affects calcium-citrate behavior, mineral interactions, flavor profile and microbial hurdle design. |
| Stabilizer system | Hydrocolloids, proteins, emulsifiers and fibers influence suspension stability and sedimentation. |
| Heat process | Pasteurization, UHT, retort or hot-fill conditions can affect mineral stability and product texture. |
| Water hardness | Mineral composition of process water can affect precipitation, mouthfeel and stability. |
| Label strategy | Check additive declaration, mineral declaration and nutrition-claim wording before launch. |
Industrial application guidance
Calcium Citrate should be selected according to the actual product objective. In some products, the main purpose is calcium fortification. In others, it is used for acidity regulation, buffering, mineral balance or texture support. The strongest evaluations include bench trials, pilot production, accelerated shelf-life testing, sensory panels, sedimentation measurement, pH monitoring, viscosity tracking and label review.
Beverages and powdered drinks
In beverages, Calcium Citrate may be used when a product requires calcium fortification with a mild taste profile. For clear beverages, its limited solubility can be a challenge; for cloudy drinks, protein drinks and powder-to-liquid systems, controlled particle size and stabilizer design can help manage suspension and mouthfeel.
Dairy systems
In dairy drinks, yogurts and desserts, Calcium Citrate can contribute calcium while interacting with proteins, phosphates and citrate buffers. Buyers should validate heat stability, protein sedimentation, viscosity, pH drift, calcium level and sensory impact in the actual dairy matrix.
Plant-based drinks and protein products
Plant-based beverages often require mineral fortification to approach dairy-style nutrition targets. Calcium Citrate may be evaluated alongside calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate and calcium lactate according to taste, suspension, fortification level, label position and process stability.
Confectionery, gummies and tablets
In gummies, chewables and compressed tablets, Calcium Citrate may be selected for calcium delivery and manageable taste. Formulators should review particle size, grittiness, acid balance, compression behavior, tablet hardness, chew texture and coating or flavor masking needs.
Sauces, dressings and fruit preparations
In acidified sauces, dressings and fruit systems, Calcium Citrate may support pH balance and mineral functionality. The final result depends on acidity, hydrocolloids, fruit acids, salt, sugar, preservatives, heat process and package storage conditions.
Dry premixes and nutritional powders
In dry blends, Calcium Citrate can be used as a calcium source with good handling properties when particle size and bulk density are controlled. Buyers should evaluate segregation risk, dusting, flowability, caking, dissolution behavior and compatibility with vitamins, flavors and sweeteners.
Calcium fortification strategy
Calcium fortification projects require more than selecting a calcium salt. Manufacturers must calculate elemental calcium contribution, serving size, permitted nutrient claim, sensory impact, mineral interactions, process stability and label declaration. Calcium Citrate can be attractive where a citrate-based ingredient is preferred, where a less alkaline mineral source is useful, or where the finished product benefits from both calcium and citrate functionality.
Useful fortification targets
- Fortified plant-based drinks and dairy alternatives
- Meal-replacement powders and protein shakes
- Functional beverages and nutritional drink mixes
- Chewable tablets, gummies and powder sachets
- Breakfast cereals, instant oats and dry premix products
- Yogurt, dairy desserts and fortified fruit preparations
Validation checks
| Elemental calcium | Confirm calcium percentage and calculation basis from the supplier specification. |
|---|---|
| Serving claim | Check whether the target calcium claim is allowed in the destination market. |
| Sedimentation | Measure mineral settling in liquid products during real-time and accelerated storage. |
| Mouthfeel | Evaluate grittiness, chalkiness and drying sensation in the finished product. |
| Interactions | Review interactions with proteins, phosphates, citrates, hydrocolloids and acids. |
| Bioavailability positioning | Avoid unsupported claims unless substantiated by applicable regulatory and scientific standards. |
Specification checklist for buyers
For industrial purchasing, the most valuable comparison is not only the product name. Buyers should compare the supplier specification against the intended formula, processing conditions, regulatory market and internal quality standard. A strong specification helps QA, R&D, purchasing and regulatory teams confirm suitability before commercial commitment.
Chemical and physical controls
- Identity as Calcium Citrate / E333 / INS 333
- Assay or purity basis, including hydrate form where specified
- Elemental calcium content and citrate content
- Appearance, color and odor
- Moisture, water content or loss on drying
- pH under supplier test conditions
- Solubility, dispersibility or suspension behavior where relevant
- Particle size distribution or mesh range
- Bulk density or tapped density for automated dosing
- Flowability, caking tendency and dusting behavior for dry blending
- Sensory profile, including chalkiness, bitterness or foreign notes where relevant
Purity, safety and compliance checks
- Heavy metals limits according to buyer or regulatory specification
- Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury limits where required
- Oxalate, fluoride or other impurity limits where specified by buyer standard
- Microbiological limits for sensitive dry blending or nutritional applications
- Food-grade statement and intended-use declaration
- Residual solvents or process impurities if applicable to manufacturing route
- Batch number, production date, retest date and shelf-life
- SDS classification and safe handling recommendations
- Allergen, GMO, halal, kosher, vegan and irradiation declarations when requested
- Country-of-origin and manufacturer traceability information
- Regulatory statement for the destination market where available
Regulatory and label review
Calcium Citrate is identified as E333 / INS 333 and belongs to the calcium citrate additive group. Depending on the market and application, it may be reviewed as an acidity regulator, firming agent, sequestrant, stabilizing ingredient or calcium source. However, additive numbering alone does not guarantee permission in every market, every food category or every claim position. Buyers should verify the exact status of the intended finished product before use.
Label terminology may differ by jurisdiction. Depending on local rules, Calcium Citrate may need to be declared by additive class, additive name, E-number, INS number, mineral source, calcium compound or a combination of these. For products marketed with calcium claims, bone-health claims, fortified positioning, infant/child nutrition claims or medical-nutrition positioning, the buyer should review the claim strategy carefully before approving the ingredient.
For export projects, confirm the formula, intended food category, use level, serving size, label declaration, nutrition panel, customer standard and destination-market rule before ordering commercial volume. If a supplier cannot provide a market-specific regulatory statement, the buyer should obtain confirmation from a qualified regulatory consultant or the relevant local authority.
Dosage and process validation considerations
Use level should be based on the permitted function, target calcium contribution, sensory target and final product design. In liquid systems, Calcium Citrate dosage may be limited by suspension stability, sedimentation, mouthfeel and label constraints. In dry systems, the main constraints are blend uniformity, particle segregation, dusting, caking and reconstitution behavior.
Recommended validation work
- Compare several Calcium Citrate grades with different particle sizes
- Measure pH after mixing, heat treatment and shelf-life storage
- Evaluate mineral sedimentation in beverages and liquid products
- Measure viscosity, mouthfeel, grittiness and chalkiness
- Check calcium assay in the finished product and serving size
- Validate heat stability during pasteurization, UHT, retort or hot fill where relevant
- Run accelerated and real-time shelf-life tests under target packaging conditions
- Confirm final label wording, nutrition declaration and legal use level before launch
Common process checks
| Weighing accuracy | Fortification targets require calibrated scales and controlled batching procedures. |
|---|---|
| Premix method | Preblending with sugar, maltodextrin, stabilizer or carrier can improve distribution. |
| Hydration | Liquid systems may need controlled agitation, hydration time and shear conditions. |
| Thermal process | Confirm stability after pasteurization, UHT, retort, hot fill or baking. |
| Carrier compatibility | Check interaction with proteins, acids, phosphates, citrates, gums, starches and flavors. |
| Finished-product testing | Use retained samples to verify pH, sediment, taste, viscosity and calcium content. |
Comparison with related calcium sources
Calcium Citrate is commonly compared with calcium carbonate, calcium lactate, calcium gluconate, calcium phosphate, calcium chloride, calcium malate and calcium citrate malate. The best choice depends on calcium content, solubility, taste, pH effect, label preference, processing stability, cost-in-use, particle size, mineral claim strategy and destination-market regulation.
When Calcium Citrate may be considered
- When calcium fortification is needed with a citrate-based mineral source
- When a formula needs mild buffering and calcium contribution together
- When calcium carbonate creates excessive alkalinity or chalkiness
- When a dry nutritional powder needs stable calcium addition
- When the product benefits from citrate-related acidity regulation
- When E333 / INS 333 is permitted in the exact food category
When another solution may be better
- When a clear beverage requires a highly soluble calcium source
- When high elemental calcium is required at very low dosage
- When sedimentation cannot be managed with stabilizers or particle size
- When the finished product requires a different pH effect
- When cost-in-use favors another calcium salt
- When the product claim strategy conflicts with additive or mineral declaration
Quality documentation to request
Documentation quality is often the deciding factor for food additive purchasing. Before confirming an order, request current and batch-specific documents where possible:
- Product specification or technical data sheet showing identity, grade and key limits
- Certificate of analysis for the offered batch or a representative recent lot
- Safety data sheet with handling, storage, PPE and transport information
- Food-grade declaration and intended-use statement
- Country-of-origin, manufacturer and traceability statement where available
- Shelf-life, retest period and storage-condition statement
- Allergen, GMO, irradiation, vegan/vegetarian, halal or kosher declarations when required
- Heavy metals, microbiology or impurity declaration according to buyer specification
- Packaging specification, net weight, gross weight and pallet configuration
- Regulatory statement for the destination market, if available from the supplier
- Sample CoA and pre-shipment document review for new suppliers
- Label draft or package marking information for import and warehouse control
Packaging, storage and logistics
Calcium Citrate should be handled as a controlled food additive with clean, sealed packaging and traceable lot identification. Because calcium salts are often used in nutritional products and low-dosage functional systems, packaging integrity, moisture protection and contamination control are important for accurate dosing, sensory consistency and shelf-life performance. Standard commercial formats may include multiwall bags, cartons, drums, inner-lined bags or palletized export packaging depending on supplier capability and order quantity.
Packaging details to confirm
| Net weight | Confirm available pack sizes such as 10 kg, 20 kg, 25 kg, drum packaging or supplier-specific formats. |
|---|---|
| Inner liner | Request food-compatible liner protection for moisture, odor and contamination control. |
| Seal integrity | Confirm closure method, tamper evidence and protection against powder leakage. |
| Palletization | Ask for bags or drums per pallet, pallet dimensions, wrapping and export pallet treatment. |
| Labeling | Confirm product name, lot number, net weight, origin, shelf-life and handling marks. |
| Container loading | Check maximum payload, moisture protection and desiccant needs for sea freight. |
Storage recommendations
- Keep containers tightly closed when not in use
- Store in a dry, cool and well-ventilated warehouse
- Protect from water, humidity, condensation and direct sunlight
- Keep away from strong odors and non-food chemicals
- Prevent dust generation during weighing, charging and transfer
- Use first-expiry, first-out stock rotation
- Maintain lot traceability from receipt to production batch
- Segregate food-grade additives from allergen-risk or incompatible materials
Industrial purchasing notes
When sourcing Calcium Citrate, procurement teams should define the commercial and technical target before requesting offers. A clear inquiry improves supplier matching, reduces document delays and helps avoid comparing non-equivalent grades. The most useful inquiry normally includes additive identity, E/INS number, target specification, calcium assay target, annual demand, first-order quantity, destination country, delivery term, packaging preference, required certifications and any buyer-specific restricted-substance limits.
For manufacturers using automated dosing, the physical grade is especially important. Particle size, dusting tendency, bulk density, flowability and caking tendency can affect weighing accuracy, dry blending, powder transfer, suspension behavior and finished-product consistency. For export projects, document consistency between invoice, label, CoA, packing list and regulatory statement should be checked before shipment.
Supplier qualification questions
Technical questions
- Which specification standard does the material follow?
- Is the supplied grade food-grade and suitable for the intended destination market?
- Is the assay reported on anhydrous, hydrated or another calculation basis?
- What is the elemental calcium content and tolerance?
- Can particle size distribution and bulk density be confirmed?
- Can the supplier provide representative and batch-specific certificates of analysis?
- Are heavy metals, microbiology and sensory quality routinely controlled?
- Can the supplier provide a sample for beverage, dairy, tablet or dry-blend trials?
Commercial questions
- What is the minimum order quantity and standard lead time?
- Which packaging formats are available for export?
- Can the supplier support annual contracts or scheduled shipments?
- Which incoterms, ports and payment terms are available?
- Can documents be reviewed before shipment?
- Can the supplier provide market-specific declarations when required?
- Can the supplier support private-label, distributor or manufacturer documentation needs?
How to request this product
Send the product name, target grade or reference specification, quantity, destination country, delivery term, packaging preference, expected shipment date and required documents. If you already purchase Calcium Citrate, attach or describe your existing specification, label, certificate of analysis, calcium target, particle size requirement or approved supplier standard so supplier options can be compared more accurately.
Useful answers
What is Calcium Citrate used for in food manufacturing?
Calcium Citrate E333 is used as an acidity regulator, buffering ingredient, calcium source, firming agent and mineral-balancing ingredient in selected food applications. It is commonly reviewed for beverages, dairy systems, plant-based drinks, confectionery, sauces, dressings, fruit preparations and nutritional products where regulations permit.
Is Calcium Citrate soluble in water?
Calcium Citrate is only sparingly soluble in water. For beverages and liquid systems, formulators should validate particle size, dispersion method, stabilizer system, pH, sedimentation, mouthfeel and shelf-life behavior in the actual product.
Can Calcium Citrate be used for calcium fortification?
Yes. Calcium Citrate is often reviewed as a calcium source for fortified foods and beverages. Buyers should check elemental calcium content, hydrate form, dosage, sensory impact, label rules, nutrient claims and destination-market regulations.
How does Calcium Citrate compare with Calcium Carbonate?
Calcium Carbonate usually provides higher elemental calcium and lower cost-in-use, but it can be more alkaline and chalky. Calcium Citrate may be preferred where citrate functionality, milder taste or different pH behavior is useful, but solubility and sedimentation still need validation.
Which foods commonly require Calcium Citrate review?
Buyers often review Calcium Citrate for fortified beverages, powdered drinks, dairy products, plant-based drinks, gummies, tablets, nutritional powders, sauces, dressings and fruit preparations. The exact permission and maximum level must be verified for the destination market.
Is Calcium Citrate permitted in every country?
No. Food additive use depends on destination-market rules, food category, maximum use level, nutrition-claim rules, label requirements and buyer responsibility. Buyers should verify final regulatory status before use.
Which documents should be requested?
Buyers commonly request a product specification, technical data sheet, certificate of analysis, safety data sheet, origin statement, shelf-life information, storage conditions, packaging details, label information and destination-market declarations when required.
What should be checked on the certificate of analysis?
Check lot number, production date, test date, identity, assay, elemental calcium content, citrate content, hydrate basis, appearance, moisture or loss on drying, pH, particle size, heavy metals, microbiology where specified and whether the certificate matches the supplied batch and purchase specification.
Can Global Food Additives source Calcium Citrate?
Global Food Additives can review sourcing options according to target grade, quantity, destination, packaging, documentation, shipment schedule and regulatory expectations. Availability depends on supplier stock, origin, certification and buyer requirements.
Tell us which food additive or ingredient you need.
Send product names, target specifications, quantity, destination country, packaging preference, delivery term, and document requirements. Our team will review your inquiry and respond from orders@foodgradeadditives.com.
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