Calcium lactobionate
A safe calcium source derived from dairy sugar.
- Category
- Stabilisers
- Vegan
- maybe
- Vegetarian
- maybe
What it is
A calcium salt of lactobionic acid used as a firming agent and calcium supplement.
How it is used in food
Calcium lactobionate is a very soluble, mild-tasting calcium salt used to fortify foods and to firm cut fruit and vegetables by cross-linking pectin in cell walls. It also functions as a sequestrant and antioxidant stabiliser, and unlike some calcium salts it does not impart bitterness or grittiness, so it works well in clear beverages and dairy products.
Commonly found in- Desserts
- Calcium supplements
Health and safety
Completely safe, though because it is derived from lactose, it may not be suitable for strict vegans.
JECFA evaluated calcium lactobionate and allocated it an ADI 'not specified' — its highest safety category — for use as a firming agent and calcium source. Lactobionic acid is poorly absorbed and largely fermented by colonic bacteria, so very high intakes can have a laxative effect, as with other poorly absorbed sugar acids and polyols. Because it is manufactured by oxidising lactose from milk, it is not suitable for strict vegans and, although the protein content is negligible, people with severe milk-protein allergy may prefer to avoid it.
Regulatory status
| Region | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Australia & New Zealand FSANZ |
Permitted | Permitted under the FSANZ Food Standards Code. |
| European Union EFSA / European Commission |
Not approved | Not on the EU authorised list of food additives (Annex II). |
| United States FDA (Food and Drug Administration) |
Permitted | Authorised for food use by the FDA (often GRAS for standard additives). |
Identification on labels
- E-number
- E399
Worth knowing
Lactobionate's real fame is in transplant medicine: it is the key osmotic component of University of Wisconsin solution, the standard preservation fluid that allowed livers and pancreases to be stored for many hours before implantation and transformed abdominal organ transplantation in the 1980s.
Conclusion
A safe calcium source derived from dairy sugar.
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Open the appEntry last reviewed 2026-07-28.
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