Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormCrystalline solid (typically supplied as powder/granules)
Industry PositionFood additive (preservative)
Market
Calcium propionate (INS 282) is a regulated preservative in India, with food-grade specifications defined under FSSAI’s compendium of food additives regulations. In dairy applications under FSSAI’s food category tables, propionates (INS 280–283) are permitted at specified maximum levels in certain products (e.g., channa/paneer and whey protein cheese). India is a major trading market for HS 291550 (propionic acid, its salts and esters), indicating material domestic demand for propionate-chain chemicals that can include calcium propionate. Import clearance for food and food ingredients, including additives, is managed through FSSAI’s Food Import Clearance System (FICS) integrated with customs processes.
Market RoleLarge domestic consumer market with significant two-way trade (imports and exports) in the HS 291550 product group
Domestic RolePreservative input for Indian food manufacturing where permitted under FSSAI standards (notably dairy categories listed in FSSAI additive tables)
Specification
Physical Attributes- Food-grade calcium propionate (INS 282) specified by FSSAI as white crystals/crystalline solid with a faint odour of propionic acid
- Freely soluble in water (FSSAI food-grade standard description)
Compositional Metrics- Purity (as C6H10O4Ca) minimum 98% on dry basis (FSSAI food-grade specification)
- Moisture maximum 5.0% (FSSAI food-grade specification)
- Matter insoluble in water maximum 0.3% (FSSAI food-grade specification)
- Iron (as Fe) maximum 50 mg/kg (FSSAI food-grade specification)
- Fluoride maximum 10 mg/kg (FSSAI food-grade specification)
- Lead maximum 5 mg/kg (FSSAI food-grade specification)
- pH of 10% (m/v) solution: 7–9 (FSSAI food-grade specification)
Grades- Food Grade (INS 282) as per FSSAI additive standards
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Overseas producer/exporter → international freight → Indian port/PoE → FSSAI FICS clearance (as applicable) → importer/distributor → food manufacturer end-users
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighNon-compliance with India’s FSSAI food-grade specifications for calcium propionate (INS 282) and/or non-conformance during FSSAI import clearance can lead to delays, non-conformance outcomes, or rejection in the FICS clearance workflow.Match supplier CoA and product spec to the FSSAI food-grade standard (e.g., purity, moisture, heavy metals) and run a pre-arrival document/label checklist aligned to FICS requirements before shipment.
Supply Concentration MediumIndia’s 2024 imports under HS 291550 (propionic acid, its salts and esters) are heavily sourced from China by value and quantity, creating exposure to supplier-country disruptions and trade/logistics shocks for propionate-chain inputs.Diversify approved suppliers beyond the dominant origin(s) and maintain contingency inventory for critical preservative inputs.
Food Safety MediumFood-grade calcium propionate in India is subject to specific impurity limits (e.g., lead) under FSSAI standards; off-spec impurities can trigger non-compliance during quality review and/or testing.Implement incoming QC testing against FSSAI impurity limits and require batch-specific CoA from qualified laboratories.
Documentation Gap MediumMissing or inconsistent import documentation (e.g., Bill of Entry, Country of Origin Certificate, labeling/ingredient documentation) can slow FICS processing and increase clearance uncertainty at the point of entry.Ensure the FICS submission pack is complete and consistent (BoE, CoO, BL, license, invoice, packing list, ingredient list, label) and reconcile batch/lot identifiers across documents.
FAQ
What are the key food-grade quality specifications for calcium propionate (INS 282) in India?FSSAI’s food-grade standard describes calcium propionate as white crystals/crystalline solid with a faint odour of propionic acid and freely soluble in water, with limits including minimum purity 98% (dry basis), moisture maximum 5.0%, lead maximum 5 mg/kg, and pH 7–9 for a 10% (m/v) solution.
Which documents are commonly required when filing for food import clearance in India (FICS)?FSSAI’s Food Imports Manual lists the typical document set for filing in FICS as: Bill of Entry, Country of Origin Certificate, Bill of Lading, FSSAI Import License, Invoice, Packing List, Ingredient List, and Product Label.
Is calcium propionate permitted for use in dairy products under India’s additive tables, and at what level?In FSSAI’s compendium food category tables for dairy products, propionates (including calcium propionate, INS 282) are shown as permitted at 3,000 mg/kg for channa and paneer (expressed as propionic acid), and calcium propionate (INS 282) is listed at 3,000 mg/kg for whey protein cheese.