YenzoWhat is E526 (calcium hydroxide)?
According to Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, calcium hydroxide (INS 526) has the function acidity regulator and firming agent.
E526Calcium hydroxide
E526 is calcium hydroxide. In Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT it has the function acidity regulator and firming agent.
- Code
- E526 · INS 526
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 E526 appears on labels
IngredientsIllustrative example
Wheat flour, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, acidity regulator (526), dried onion and garlic, pepper, natural colour (160a).
acidity regulator (526)acidity regulator 526E526INS 526On Vietnamese labels: Calci hydroxyd
Questions about calcium hydroxide
Is calcium hydroxide harmful?
The FAO/WHO expert committee JECFA last evaluated calcium hydroxide in 1965 and recorded the ADI as “not limited”. This is a JECFA conclusion, not an EFSA one; the JECFA summary gives no intake figures.
Is E526 permitted in Vietnam?
Yes. Calcium hydroxide (INS 526) is listed in Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, the list of additives permitted in food.
Can children and pregnant women have INS 526?
In the EU, Annex II Part E of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, category 13.1.3 (processed cereal-based foods and baby foods), lists calcium hydroxide (E526): no maximum level (quantum satis), only processed cereal-based foods and baby foods, only for pH adjustment. The text has no separate rule for pregnant women. If you have a particular health condition, ask a doctor.
Other acidity regulators
E523Aluminium ammonium sulphatemoderateE524Sodium hydroxidevery lowE525Potassium hydroxidevery lowE527Ammonium hydroxidevery lowE528Magnesium hydroxidevery lowE529Calcium oxidevery low
See all acidity regulators →Updated 21 October 2026
Sources (4)
- 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:e526)
- Thông tư 24/2019/TT-BYT (văn bản hợp nhất 09/VBHN-BYT), Phụ lục 1
- JECFA (FAO/WHO), Summary of Evaluations: Calcium hydroxide (INS 526)
- Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives, Annex II Part E (consolidated version of 18.08.2026) - 13.1.3 Processed cereal-based foods and baby foods