E538 – Calcium ferrocyanide
StabiliserDescription
Anti-caking agent and crystal modifier, primarily used in table salt (sodium chloride) and salt substitutes to maintain free flow and prevent agglomeration. It is a stable complex salt.
Notes
Calcium ferrocyanide is a synthetic chemical compound made by combining calcium salts with ferrocyanide compounds (which contain iron, carbon, and nitrogen). It's produced in chemical manufacturing facilities through controlled reactions that create a stable, crystalline powder. The 'ferrocyanide' part of the name refers to a specific arrangement of iron and cyanide molecules that are tightly bound together in a way that makes them chemically stable and safe for food use. This additive serves as both an anticaking agent and a crystal modifier, primarily in table salt. As an anticaking agent, it prevents salt crystals from sticking together and forming clumps, ensuring your salt pours smoothly from the container. As a crystal modifier, it helps control how salt crystals form and grow, which can improve the texture and appearance of the final product. You'll find it most commonly in refined table salt and some specialty salts. This is a synthetic additive rather than a natural one, created specifically for industrial food production. It's suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets since it contains no animal products, and generally doesn't conflict with religious dietary restrictions. While the presence of 'cyanide' in the chemical name might sound alarming, the cyanide is locked into a stable molecular structure that doesn't release harmful compounds under normal food storage and consumption conditions. Food safety agencies have approved its use in very small quantities.