E385 – Calcium disodium ethylenediamine
Anti-oxydantDescription
tetra-acetate
Notes
Calcium disodium EDTA is a synthetic compound created by combining ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) with calcium and sodium. EDTA itself is manufactured through a series of chemical reactions starting with simple industrial chemicals. The resulting compound is a white, crystalline powder that has a special ability to "grab onto" metal ions - a property called chelation (pronounced "key-LAY-shun"), which means it can bind to metals and prevent them from causing unwanted reactions. This additive works as a chelating agent and preservative by binding to trace metals that naturally occur in food or water used in food processing. These tiny amounts of metals can cause foods to deteriorate faster, change color, or develop off-flavors, so calcium disodium EDTA prevents these problems. You'll commonly find it in canned vegetables, salad dressings, mayonnaise, soft drinks, and processed foods where maintaining color and preventing rancidity are important. Calcium disodium EDTA is entirely synthetic and suitable for vegetarians, vegans, and all religious dietary requirements since no animal products are involved in its production. It's considered safe by food safety authorities worldwide, though it's used in very small quantities. Some people prefer to avoid synthetic additives in general, but this compound has been extensively studied and has a long safety record in food use.