Alternate Names

Plaster of Paris, Calcium Sulphate, Anhydrite, Gypsum

Description

A white powder with no odor or color used as a firming agent and dough conditioner. Also used as a coagulant in foods such as tofu.

Additional Information

Also used in toothpaste as an abrasive. Because it hardens quickly, may cause intestinal blockage if consumed in large quantities.

Found In

flour, cereal, blue cheese, canned tomatoes, tofu

Possible Health Effects

Intestinal blockage if consumed in large amounts

Allergy Information

Unknown

Online Resources/Related

• US Food And Drug Administration, Code of Federal Regulations Title 21: Calcium Sulfate, Revised April 1, 2009, US Food and Drug Administration

Print Resources

• Winter, Ruth. A Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives, 7th Edition: Descriptions in Plain English of More Than 12,000 Ingredients Both Harmful and Desirable Found in Foods. Three Rivers Press, 2009
• Statham, Bill. Eat Safe: The Truth about Additives from Aspartame to Xanthan Gum. Running Press, 2008
• Minich, Deanna M. An A-Z Guide to Food Additives: Never Eat What You Can't Pronounce. Conari Press, 2009
• Farlow, Christine Hoza, D.C.Food Additives: A Shopper's Guide To What's Safe & What's Not. KISS For Health Publishing, 2007 Revised Edition

Copyright May 20, 2010 Be Food Smart