Calcium chloride is a non-toxic substance added to many foods to boost their calcium levels and act as a preservative. It isn't possible to subsist on it, nor is it sold as a food product to general consumers. There is no "Calcium Chloride Diet" promoted by any reputable medical or fitness professional. However, if you're trying to eat raw or all-natural foods, you'll want to avoid foods packaged with this preservative salt.
Identification
Calcium chloride is a naturally occurring substance found in salty sea water, brine deposits and mineral water. According to manufacturer Ward Chemical, it's composed of two elements, calcium and chlorine, with a chemical formula of CaCl2. As a liquid, Ward Chemical notes that calcium chloride absorbs moisture and resists evaporation.
Warning
Calcium chloride is not intended to be consumed alone as a food product. It is intended to be used as an additive only. You should never attempt to use calcium chloride as a replacement for food or add it to your own food. Because it is often present in items such as canned food, your only dietary choice with regard to calcium chloride is to consume or avoid foods packaged with this additive.
Uses in Food & Beverages
European manufacturer Premier Chemicals, Ltd. notes that there are two different types of food-grade calcium chloride: 36 percent solid calcium chloride and 77 percent liquid calcium chloride. Food-grade calcium chloride is used to correct hard water in the manufacturing of beer and soft drinks. It adds calcium to cheese, and helps preserve canned fruits and pickled veggies. It's also added to some animal feed to supplement the animals' calcium levels.
Non-Dietary Uses
Ward Chemical offers a number of non-dietary uses for liquid calcium chloride. It can be used as antifreeze for skating rinks, an organic fertilizer and a method of freeze-proofing sand added to roads for extra traction during winter storms. In its solid form, it can be dumped onto wet roads in freezing or near-freezing temperatures. As its molecules dissolve into ions, they help keep water molecules from freezing and forming patches of ice that are dangerous for drivers and pedestrians.
Calcium vs. Sodium Chloride
Calcium chloride is not the same as sodium chloride, otherwise known as table salt. Consuming foods packaged with calcium chloride will not contribute to conditions such as high blood pressure. In fact, the FDA's calcium chloride evaluation notes that when consumed at current levels, there is no evidence this food additive will cause any harm.
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