E516Calcium sulphate

E516 is calcium sulfate. In Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT it has the function firming agent, acidity regulator, flour treatment agent, sequestrant and stabiliser.

Code: E516 · INS 516
Group: Firming agent, Acidity regulator, Flour treatment agent, Sequestrant, Stabilizer

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 E516 appears on labels

IngredientsIllustrative example

Wheat flour, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, firming agent (516), dried onion and garlic, pepper, natural colour (160a).

firming agent (516)firming agent 516E516INS 516On Vietnamese labels: Calci sulfat

Calcium sulphate in food

Bread and rolls Fine bakery wares

Questions about calcium sulphate

What is E516 (calcium sulphate)?

According to Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, calcium sulfate (INS 516) has the function firming agent, acidity regulator, flour treatment agent, sequestrant and stabiliser.

Is calcium sulphate harmful?

In 2019 EFSA concluded that exposure to sulphate from sulphuric acid and its sodium, potassium, calcium and ammonium salts (E513–E517) does not raise a safety concern at the reported uses and use levels, and that there is no need for a numerical ADI. EFSA noted that mean and 95th percentile exposure are far below the 300 mg/kg dose that caused a laxative effect in humans.

Is E516 permitted in Vietnam?

Yes. Calcium sulfate (INS 516) is listed in Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, the list of additives permitted in food.

Other firming agents

E509Calcium chloridevery low E511Magnesium chloridevery low E518Magnesium sulphatevery low E520Aluminium sulphatehigh E521Aluminium sodium sulphatehigh E522Aluminium potassium sulphatehigh

See all firming agents →

Updated 21 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:e516)
Thông tư 24/2019/TT-BYT (văn bản hợp nhất 09/VBHN-BYT), Phụ lục 1
EFSA Journal (2019). Re-evaluation of sulphuric acid and its sodium, potassium, calcium and ammonium salts (E 513, 514 (i), 514 (ii), 515 (i), 515 (ii), 516 and 517) as food additive

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