E263 / Preservatives
Calcium acetate
Safety in brief
Safe
Recorded EatMatrix rating, not a new clinical review. The amount, your sensitivities and country rules still matter.
- Watch for
- No allergen or sensitivity is recorded for this ingredient here. Check the whole product label; this is not an allergen-free guarantee.
- Our advice
- Read the whole food label and consider how often you eat the product. A name or E number does not tell you the amount, and an ingredient rating cannot assess the entire food.
What it is
Calcium acetate (E263) is a salt of acetic acid used in food as an acidity regulator, preservative, and firming agent, and in medicine it is used to help control blood phosphate levels in people with kidney disease. As a food additive it is used in small quantities and is considered safe at typical intake levels. It also supplies a small amount of dietary calcium.
Also appears on labels as: Calcium acetate, E263, E 263, E-263, Calcium ethanoate, Acetic acid calcium salt, Calcium diacetate, Food additive E263, Calcium acetate (preservative), Calcium salt of acetic acid, Ca(C2H3O2)2, Calcium acetate monohydrate.
What is E263 on a food label?
E263 identifies calcium acetate. Its food function is acidity regulation, helping adjust how acidic a food is. That function concerns the food; it does not tell you the amount consumed or establish a health benefit from seeing the ingredient on a label.
E263 calcium acetate is different from E261 potassium acetate. Match the exact name and number when comparing labels. The presence of calcium in the name is not enough to judge the product’s nutritional value. Vegan, halal and allergy questions require the whole label and relevant manufacturer information, not just this code.
The FSA register lists E263 as authorised in England, Scotland and Wales, with its record last updated April 1, 2025. Specifications and food-use conditions are separate requirements. This Great Britain record is not a global approval or permission for unrestricted use in every food.
- FSA additive names and E numbers (June 25, 2026)
- FSA register: E263 calcium acetate, Great Britain status and conditions
- HMRC ingredient table: E263 name and acidity-regulator function (not a safety assessment)
See how EatMatrix reads an ingredient list before trying the app. Compare a scan with the physical label.
Identity and food-use sources checked . The E number alone does not tell you the amount in a product. Wider scientific and market checks are described below.
Dietary information
- Vegan
- Yes
- Halal
- Yes
- Gluten-free
- Yes
- Allergens
- None recorded
Recorded ingredient information. Check the product label or certification: sources, other ingredients and cross-contact can vary.
Research & body effects
Health notes from our ingredient record
- Generally recognized as safe at typical food levels.
Country rules
Country checks for E263
Permission depends on the market, type of food, amount and conditions. A scientific opinion or an E-number alone does not establish a legal use. These checks are separate from the stored EatMatrix rating.
Compare all eight markets and their sources
| Market | What is checked |
|---|---|
| European Union | Regulation (EC) 1333/2008, Annex II Part B, version , contains the exact code E263: Calcium acetate. Listing alone does not allow every food use. Part E food categories, limits, specifications and applicable later acts still need a product-specific check. Source read: . |
| Great Britain | The FSA register record for E263 (Calcium acetate) lists “Authorised” in England, Scotland and Wales. Register updated: 01 April 2025; record checked: . Food-specific conditions and specifications still need a separate legal check. |
| United States | Selected US conditions for Calcium acetate Official federal text current through ; read . Food uses, limits and exceptionsFood-specific levels as served The section lists several functions, including firming and pH control. Good-manufacturing-practice maximum levels as served are 0.2% in baked goods and gelatins/puddings/fillings; 0.02% in cheese; 0.15% in sweet sauces/toppings/syrups; and 0.0001% in other food categories. Food-grade specifications and the actual intended use remain part of the conditions. EatMatrix’s reading: a legal use condition answers where and how an ingredient may be used. It is not a test of your product, a personal safe intake or a claim that the ingredient benefits your body. Match the named substance, food and amount. Other federal provisions, food standards, state rules and later changes may also apply; this is a selected source review, not a complete product-compliance decision. |
| Northern Ireland | Review pending. Check the applicable EU rules and territory arrangements; the GB register alone does not establish this status. FSA guidance is a starting source, not a verified permission for this entry. |
| Canada | Named food-use records located. Health Canada lists the preparations below for specified foods and purposes. This is conditional permission for those uses, not approval of every product or a personal safety verdict. Only the named records and conditions below were located. Exact composition and specifications still need matching. Source tables captured . List publication dates are shown separately. Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) is a condition of use, not an unlimited amount or a recommended intake. Food and Drug Regulations B.16.003 requires the listed source, purpose, amount and other conditions to match. The official consolidation read was current to 21 September 2026; product specifications and applicable later changes still need checking. Read 2 listed food-use conditionsCalcium AcetateHealth Canada: List of Permitted Acidity Regulators and Acid-Reacting Materials. List published ; item C.1.
EatMatrix reading: match the exact preparation and food first. A manufacturing limit is not an acceptable daily intake (ADI). A label without the amount cannot establish exposure, and an unlisted name here does not establish a ban. |
| Australia | Review pending. Food Standards Code permissions and conditions need an additive-specific check. FSANZ food-additive rules is a starting source, not a verified permission for this entry. |
| New Zealand | Review pending. Food Standards Code permissions and conditions need an additive-specific check. FSANZ food-additive rules is a starting source, not a verified permission for this entry. |
| Japan | Review pending. The relevant list, identity and use standards need an additive-specific check. CAA food-additive lists is a starting source, not a verified permission for this entry. |
Sources & review status
Check what each source covers: an authority’s conclusion, a research finding and a country’s legal permission answer different questions.
What this guide covers
- Original ingredient record
- No research links in the original record. Sources added separately to this guide are not included in this count.
This guide brings together our ingredient record and the dated sources shown here. Missing information describes a gap in this guide; it does not mean an ingredient is untested, safe or harmful. This is not a complete review of every study, preparation or current country rule. The amount in a product and how it is used still matter.
How to read the ratings, research and country checksAgency labels recorded by EatMatrix
These are imported database classifications, not verified current statements from each authority. Use the dated official sources below for their actual scope and conclusions.
| Authority | Database label |
|---|---|
| FDA | Safe |
| WHO | Safe |
| EFSA | Safe |
| FSANZ | Safe |
| Japan | Safe |
| UK FSA | Safe |
| Health Canada | Safe |
Database updated: . What does an E number mean on a food label?
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
What is EatMatrix's recorded rating for E263?
The recorded EatMatrix rating for E263 (Calcium acetate) is “Safe”. It is calculated from labels stored in our ingredient database. These labels are not verified current regulator decisions or country permissions. A database update date is not a scientific review date.
Is E263 vegan, halal or gluten-free?
According to our ingredient data for Calcium acetate — vegan: yes, vegetarian: yes, halal: yes, kosher: yes, gluten-free: yes, dairy-free: yes. Manufacturing sources can vary between products; check the label if it matters to you.
What is E263 and why is it used?
Calcium acetate (E263) is a salt of acetic acid used in food as an acidity regulator, preservative, and firming agent, and in medicine it is used to help control blood phosphate levels in people with kidney disease. As a food additive it is used in small quantities and is considered safe at typical intake levels. It also supplies a small amount of dietary calcium.
Does E263 contain allergens?
No known allergens are recorded for Calcium acetate.
What is E263 calcium acetate used for in food?
E263 identifies calcium acetate, an acidity regulator that helps adjust how acidic a food is. This is a food function, not a claim about a health benefit or the quantity in a particular product.
Is E263 banned in Great Britain?
The FSA register lists E263 calcium acetate as authorised in England, Scotland and Wales, with its record last updated April 1, 2025. Applicable specifications and food-use conditions still need checking for the product. This does not establish its status in other markets.
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This page shows information and classifications recorded in our ingredient database. Current scientific and market-specific verification remains pending as described above. It is general information, not medical advice.