Comparing E526 - Calcium hydroxide vs E507 - Hydrochloric acid
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Found in 6 products
Found in 15 products
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Interest over time for 3 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Interest over time for 3 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Popular questions
Is calcium hydroxide a strong base?
Yes—calcium hydroxide (slaked lime) is a strong base; although only moderately soluble, its saturated solution (limewater) is highly alkaline (pH around 12.4).
What is calcium hydroxide used for?
In foods it’s used as an acidity regulator and firming agent—commonly for nixtamalizing corn (masa/tortillas), as pickling lime to keep cucumbers crisp, and in sugar refining; it’s also used to adjust brewing water pH.
Is calcium hydroxide bad for you?
At the small amounts used in foods it isn’t considered harmful and is permitted (e.g., FDA GRAS; EU E526) under good manufacturing practice. Concentrated powders or solutions are caustic and can burn or irritate skin, eyes, and the digestive tract.
Is calcium hydroxide safe to eat?
Yes, when food‑grade and used at normal levels it’s considered safe; residual amounts in treated foods are low and can contribute calcium. Avoid ingesting concentrated forms, which are corrosive.
How to make calcium hydroxide?
Industrial food‑grade calcium hydroxide is made by hydrating calcium oxide (quicklime), which is produced by calcining limestone; CaO + H2O → Ca(OH)2. For safety and purity, use commercially prepared food‑grade pickling lime rather than attempting to make it at home, as the reaction is caustic and highly exothermic.
Is hydrochloric acid a strong acid?
Yes—hydrochloric acid (E507) is a strong mineral acid that dissociates almost completely in water; in foods it’s used only in dilute amounts.
What is hydrochloric acid used for?
In foods, E507 is used to acidify and control pH, and as a processing aid in sugar/starch hydrolysis and gelatin production.
What does hydrochloric acid do?
It lowers pH to adjust acidity for flavor, texture, and microbial control, and can catalyze hydrolysis reactions during processing. Any residual acid is typically neutralized or highly diluted in the final product.
Is hydrochloric acid dangerous?
Concentrated hydrochloric acid is highly corrosive and can cause severe burns and harmful fumes. In foods, food‑grade HCl used at good manufacturing practice levels is considered safe (GRAS in the U.S.; permitted as E507 in the EU).
Is hydrochloric acid flammable?
No—hydrochloric acid is non‑flammable, though it can react with some metals to release flammable hydrogen gas and emits corrosive fumes.