What is Calcium Chloride?
[pronounced: KAL-cee-um KLO - ride | kal-sē-əm klȯr-ˌīd]
Calcium chloride is added to infant formula to provide two two minerals, calcium and the less well known, but indispensable, mineral chloride. The most significant infant formula recall in the United States, affecting over 30,000 infants, was because of insufficient chloride.
Chloride is Essential to Health
Chloride can be confused with the swimming pool treatment chlorine. Even though they sound and are spelled similarly, they are not the same compound. (Chemistry can be so frustrating sometimes!) Chlorine inhibits the growth of bacteria and is used to prevent growth of bacteria in water. Chloride is a mineral essential for maintaining fluid and acid-base balance in the body.
Acid-base balance concerns the pH in cells and tissues. It refers the body’s need for precisely controlled levels of acidity and alkalinity in cells and tissues (Alkaline is commonly known as basic or a base). Even slight upsets in to this careful balance causes significant illness. The Merck Manual has an excellent article on acid-base balance if would like to learn more about this body process.
In 1979, formulas Neo Mull Soy and Cho-Free (made by Syntex Laboratories) were recalled due to insufficient chloride content. Over thirty infants are known to have become severely ill; however over 20,000 were likely exposed to the defective formula. Thanks to the savvy advocacy of two moms, Carol Laskin and Lynn Pilot, this incident ushered in the modern era of infant formula regulation with the 1980 Infant Formula Act. Modern moms and babies owe a lot to Carol and Lynn. Formula is much safer because of them.
Calcium Chloride Has Many Uses
Calcium chloride is a close cousin of everyday table salt, which is sodium chloride. In fact, calcium chloride is found in both sea salt and Himalayan salt (neither of which is healthier than table salt, but that is a completely different topic).
Like table salt, calcium chloride has many uses. In sports drinks, it acts as an electrolyte. In cheese making, it is used to replace some of the calcium that would normally be lost in the fluid whey. In canned vegetables, calcium chloride helps to keep the vegetables firm, preventing a mushy, unappetizing texture. Furthermore, it is used as a medication to treat low calcium in babies, children, and adults.
Regulations and Safety
In the United States, calcium chloride is generally recognized as safe (GRAS). In Europe, calcium chloride is known as E509 in the E number system of substances that can be added to foods. The World Health Organization considers it safe, as do Australia and New Zealand.
The FDA Infant Formula Act requires formulas sold in the United States to have at least 60 milligrams (mg) calcium for every 100 calories prepared formula. A maximum level of calcium has not been established. In terms of chloride, formulas must have a minimum 55 mg and a maximum 150 mg per 100 calories prepared formula.
The European Commission requires calcium content to be between 50 and 140 mg and chloride between 50 and 150 mg per 100 calories prepared formula.
Dietary Considerations
All religious groups, vegans, and vegetarians can consume calcium chloride.