← All ingredients
Food & drinkCautionE385

Calcium disodium EDTA

إيديتا الكالسيوم والصوديوم

Preservative/sequestrant

The verdict

Caution — a metal-binding preservative; fine at the low levels used, but a synthetic chelator (ADI 2.5 mg/kg) that can bind zinc/iron at high intake.

What it is

A sequestrant that grabs trace iron/copper to keep oils and colours from going off.

⚡ WTF fact

It works by trapping the trace metals that cause rancidity — used in tiny amounts to keep products stable.

Evidence & status

IARC carcinogen group

not_classified

Acceptable intake

N/A

EU status

Permitted as food / not applicable

US · FDA status

Permitted as food / GRAS

Halal status: halal

Synthetic; no animal or alcohol source.

Also known as

E 385 · Calcium disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate · Calcium disodium ethylene diamine tetra-acetate · EDTA

Primary source

FAO/WHO Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) — safety evaluation and ADI for the additive. Codex Alimentarius General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA).

Evidence, not medical advice. You decide.

More in this category

Allura Red ACAmaranthAspartameBeta-apo-8'-carotenalBHA (Butylated hydroxyanisole)BHT (Butylated hydroxytoluene)

Get ORIA when it launches

Join the waitlist - we'll email you the moment ORIA lands. Then scan any product and get a clear verdict on every ingredient, in seconds.

Coming soon to iOS and Android