Digestoa
Additive · Colour

Calcium carbonate (E170)

Calcium carbonate (E170) is a colour that Digestoa rates as low concern — it's considered safe at the levels used in food.

Digestoa riskNo known risk
TypeColour / Anti-caking
Found inbrightly coloured sweets, soft drinks, breakfast cereals, snacks and desserts

What is Calcium carbonate?

Calcium carbonate (E170) is a colour — added to give food a specific colour.

Is Calcium carbonate bad for you?

Calcium carbonate is permitted in food and Digestoa rates it as low concern. There's no strong evidence it causes harm at the levels typically used in food.

What foods contain Calcium carbonate?

Brightly coloured sweets, soft drinks, breakfast cereals, snacks and desserts.

Digestoa's take

You don't need to avoid Calcium carbonate. It's one of the more benign things on an ingredients list — worth knowing, not worth worrying about.

Safer swaps

Choose products coloured with natural extracts like beetroot (E162), paprika (E160c) or turmeric (E100).

Frequently asked questions

Is E170 the same as Calcium carbonate?
Yes — E170 is the international additive (E-number) code for Calcium carbonate.
Is Calcium carbonate bad for you?
Digestoa rates Calcium carbonate (E170) as low concern. It's permitted in food and considered safe at normal dietary levels.
What are the side effects of Calcium carbonate?
No significant side effects are associated with Calcium carbonate at the levels used in food.
What foods contain Calcium carbonate?
Brightly coloured sweets, soft drinks, breakfast cereals, snacks and desserts.
How can I avoid Calcium carbonate?
Check the ingredients list for "Calcium carbonate" or "E170", or scan the product with Digestoa to see if it's present before you buy.

Related colour additives

Titanium dioxide (E171)Tartrazine (E102)Quinoline Yellow (E104)Sunset Yellow FCF (E110)Azorubine / Carmoisine (E122)Ponceau 4R (E124)

Risk ratings reflect Digestoa's editorial assessment synthesising EFSA/IARC opinions and peer-reviewed research. Informational only — not medical advice.