E509Calcium chloride

E509 is calcium chloride. In Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT it has the function firming agent, stabiliser and thickener.

Code: E509 · INS 509
Group: Firming agent, Stabilizer, Thickener

In Vietnam✓ PermittedOn the list of permitted additives — Circular 24/2019, Appendix 1

Risk level on the Yenzo Scalevery low?Based on the Open Food Facts additives taxonomy

How E509 appears on labels

IngredientsIllustrative example

Wheat flour, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, firming agent (509), dried onion and garlic, pepper, natural colour (160a).

firming agent (509)firming agent 509E509INS 509On Vietnamese labels: Calci clorid

Calcium chloride in food

Ripened cheese, dehydrated milk

Processed fruit and vegetables

Confectionery Flavoured drinks Sauces Meat products

Questions about calcium chloride

What is E509 (calcium chloride)?

According to Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, calcium chloride (INS 509) has the function firming agent, stabiliser and thickener.

Is calcium chloride harmful?

In 2019 EFSA concluded that exposure to chloride from hydrochloric acid and its potassium, calcium and magnesium salts (E507, E508, E509, E511) does not raise a safety concern at the reported use levels. EFSA used a reference value of 40 mg chloride/kg body weight per day: mean exposure in all age groups was at or below it, while 95th percentile exposure in toddlers, children and adolescents was slightly above it. The main contributors are processed fruit and vegetables, confectionery, flavoured drinks and sauces.

Is E509 permitted in Vietnam?

Yes. Calcium chloride (INS 509) is listed in Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, the list of additives permitted in food.

Other firming agents

E508Potassium chloridevery low E511Magnesium chloridevery low E516Calcium sulphatevery low E518Magnesium sulphatevery low E520Aluminium sulphatehigh E521Aluminium sodium sulphatehigh

See all firming agents →

Updated 22 October 2026

How Yenzo scores

Sources (3)

Open Food Facts additives taxonomy (Yenzo's table cites no EFSA opinion for this code). Open Food Facts additives taxonomy, https://github.com/openfoodfacts/openfoodfacts-server/blob/main/taxonomies/additives.txt (entry en:e509)
Thông tư 24/2019/TT-BYT (văn bản hợp nhất 09/VBHN-BYT), Phụ lục 1
EFSA Journal (2019). Re-evaluation of hydrochloric acid (E 507), potassium chloride (E 508), calcium chloride (E 509) and magnesium chloride (E 511) as food additives

Information only, not medical advice. The risk level is the additive's class in Yenzo's open scoring method, based on the cited source.