Not 100% Organic - Calcium Stearate

Calcium stearate is an organic product obtained from edible sources. Recently, the petition for the inclusion of calcium stearate as one of the substances used in processed products is underway in the National List of nonagricultural substances allowed in processed products labeled "organic" or "made with organic". If you're wondering about the composition of calcium stearate, it is a calcium compound consisting variable proportions of calcium stearate and calcium palmitate.

Calcium stearate was first used in 1924 as an anti-caking agent for bakery ingredients and dough conditioner. Calcium stearate comes in the form of a powder with white to yellowish white color. It is regulated in the FDA under Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). International regulations of calcium stearate include findings made by the International Agency for Research on Cancer does not distinguish this substance as a carcinogen. This product is also known as nontoxic; hence, any spillage to the environment of calcium stearate should not be cause for alarm.

However, this compound may cause some irritation when coming in contact with skin and eyes, when exhaled, and if powder is swallowed. Skin and eye irritation with calcium stearate may have the following symptoms: redness, itching, tearing, swelling, and pain. It is advised to flush the affected area with water and for 15 on the eyes. When inhaled, calcium stearate may cause irritation along the respiratory tract and symptoms could range from coughing, shortness of breath, runny nose, and sore throat. For first aid measures, respiratory assistance may be provided when necessary.

If calcium stearate is ingested, it can cause gastroenteritis with abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, and diarrhea. A physician's attention is immediately necessary because patients may experience ringing of ears, elevated blood pressure, dizziness, blurred vision, and tremors.

Calcium stearate is insoluble in water, cold alcohol, chloroform, ether, and acetone but slightly soluble in hot alcohol, hot mineral and vegetable oils, and quite soluble in hot pyridine. Due to its insolubility to most liquids under mild conditions, calcium stearate is ideal as stabilizer and lubricant for PVC resins, plastic tablets and molding powders, cements, emulsions, pencils, waterproofing NG base explosives, mortar admixtures, fabrics, and cement paints. It's also effective for use in construction chemicals, and in cosmetics. Food grade form of calcium stearate may be used as an emulsifier, anti-dusting agent, flavoring agent, release agent, stabilizer, or thickening agent.

In the National List, calcium stearate should be in the list under synthetic. Investigators argue that this product should belong to the category "made with organic" because it is supposed to be 95% organic, and as far as labeling is concerned, the animal source from which calcium stearate is derived must be stated.