Calcium Benzoate
Function: Preservative
E213 is the European food-additive number for Calcium Benzoate, a preservative — used to extend shelf life by slowing spoilage from microbes. Calcium Benzoate (E213) is a preservative used as a food additive.
What is E213 used for?
Calcium Benzoate (E213) is a preservative — used to extend shelf life by slowing spoilage from microbes. It is added during food production for a technological purpose rather than for nutrition.
Is E213 safe or restricted?
E213 is approved for use in the EU but has drawn regulatory attention — its conditions of use or acceptable daily intake have been re-examined by EFSA or equivalent bodies. Forkin classifies it as “Regulatory attention” and does not make health claims. See the methodology for how regulatory levels are assigned.
Frequently asked questions about E213
- What is E213?
- E213 is the E-number for Calcium Benzoate, a preservative — used to extend shelf life by slowing spoilage from microbes. Calcium Benzoate (E213) is a preservative used as a food additive.
- What is E213 used for?
- Calcium Benzoate (E213) is a preservative — used to extend shelf life by slowing spoilage from microbes. Manufacturers add it during processing rather than for nutrition. The Forkin app shows which products in your scan history actually contain it.
- Is E213 vegan or vegetarian?
- It depends on the source. Many additives can be produced from plant, mineral, or animal-derived raw materials, and the ingredient list rarely states which was used. The Forkin app shows the verified vegan and vegetarian status per product where it's known, instead of a blanket guess.
- Is E213 safe, and is it banned anywhere?
- E213 is approved for use in the EU but has drawn regulatory attention — its conditions of use or acceptable daily intake have been re-examined by EFSA or equivalent bodies. Forkin classifies it as "Regulatory attention" and does not make health claims — see the methodology page for how regulatory levels are assigned, and the Forkin app for the full profile, including acceptable daily intake (ADI) and restrictions by country.
See the full profile in Forkin
The Forkin app surfaces the full regulatory profile of E213 — acceptable daily intake (ADI), restrictions by country, vegan/vegetarian status, alternative names, and which products in your scan history contain it.