Calcium carbonate is the most commonly used source of calcium in food and nutritional applications. Why is that? 

• Calcium carbonate has the highest elemental calcium concentration of all calcium compounds used for fortification—40 percent.
• Calcium carbonate is one of the most bioavailable calcium compounds used to fortify, at least as bioavailable as the calcium in cow’s milk.
• Calcium carbonate is one of the most inexpensive forms of calcium.

The high elemental calcium content of calcium carbonate minimizes the need to add a high weight of fortifying compound to achieve the desired level of elemental calcium. This results in an extremely low fortification cost. Further, adding a smaller amount of calcium to the finished product minimizes any potential effect on taste. 

More on the advantages and economics of choosing calcium carbonate as the calcium fortifier in a food or supplement can be found on an information sheet published by Specialty Minerals Inc. (SMI). Click on this link to download the information sheet:

Calcium Carbonate - The Outstanding Source of Calcium for Fortification

SMI manufactures a broad range of precipitated and ground calcium carbonates for foods, nutritional supplements, and pharmaceuticals, with plants in the United States and the United Kingdom. Use the links below to read more.

Learn more:

• SMI minerals in food fortification uses
• SMI minerals in beverages – cow’s milk, soy milk, powdered drinks
• SMI minerals in pharmaceuticals
   
• SMI calcium carbonates for food, nutritional supplements, pharmaceuticals and personal care products
• Choosing the right grade of SMI calcium carbonate for consumer products.
   
• Useful information for formulators:  Downloadable information sheets on formulating with calcium carbonate, the effect of particle size and shape in a product, high bioavailability of calcium carbonate, California Proposition 65 lead limits, and calcium carbonate lead levels.
• U.S. Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) for Calcium
• Osteoporosis: Anyone Can Be At Risk – Even You! A downloadable information sheet
   
• Specialty Minerals minerals in consumer products: See the products you use every day—foods, nutritional supplements, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, toiletries, and other personal-care items—that use SMI talcs and calcium carbonates.
   
• About Specialty Minerals Inc.