Is Calcium peroxide (flour bleaching agent; E930) safe for babies and kids?
Moderate risk for kidsInfants are more vulnerable to Calcium peroxide (flour bleaching agent; E930) than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.
What is calcium peroxide (flour bleaching agent; e930)?
The IUPAC name is calcium peroxide.
Also known as: calcium peroxide, Calcium dioxide, Calper, Calper G.
- IUPAC name
- calcium peroxide
- CAS number
- 1305-79-9
- Molecular formula
- CaO2
- Molecular weight
- 72.08 g/mol
- SMILES
- [O-][O-].[Ca+2]
- PubChem CID
- 14779
Risk for babies
Moderate riskInfants are more vulnerable to Calcium peroxide (flour bleaching agent; E930) than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.
Neonates and infants up to 12 months have incomplete blood-brain barrier development, immature Phase I/II metabolic enzymes (particularly CYP3A4, UGT1A1), and higher gastrointestinal permeability. Equivalent doses produce higher internal concentrations and longer residence times.
Risk for pregnant and nursing people
Context-dependentPregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of Calcium peroxide (flour bleaching agent; E930), potentially increasing fetal exposure. The developing embryo/fetus is vulnerable during organogenesis (weeks 3-8) and neurological development. Placental transfer should be assumed.
No specific reproductive toxicity data identified, but pregnancy-specific safety data is limited for most chemicals. Precautionary minimization of exposure is recommended.
Regulatory consensus
1 regulatory bodyhas classified Calcium peroxide (flour bleaching agent; E930).
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| IARC | 2008 | Not evaluated by IARC for carcinogenicity — Calcium peroxide (E930; CAS 1305-79-9; CaO2; a flour bleaching and maturing agent) is EU E930; FDA approved as a dough conditioner and maturing agent in the USA (21 CFR 137.105; max 75 ppm of flour); EFSA evaluated calcium peroxide in 2008 (EFSA Journal 2008;6(6):723) and confirmed its safety at current use levels — the reactive species is hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) released when CaO2 contacts water in dough; JECFA has reviewed calcium peroxide; no IARC, EPA, or EFSA carcinogenicity classification; calcium peroxide is considered one of the safer bread improvers because its active species (H2O2) is a naturally occurring metabolite in all aerobic cells and is immediately degraded by catalase/peroxidase enzymes in both dough (from flour enzymes) and the body (ubiquitous catalase); the bleaching and oxidizing action of calcium peroxide is used to strengthen gluten networks and whiten flour, with calcium oxide (CaO) and water remaining as innocuous by-products |
Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.
Where kids encounter calcium peroxide (flour bleaching agent; e930)
- Industrial Facilities — Manufacturing plants, Chemical storage areas, Waste treatment sites
- Occupational Environments — Factories, Warehouses, Transportation vehicles
Safer alternatives
Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Calcium peroxide (flour bleaching agent; E930):
-
Calcium carbonate or kaolin fillers
Trade-offs: Different performance characteristics than specialty fillers.Relative cost: 1.2-2×
Frequently asked questions
Is calcium peroxide (flour bleaching agent; e930) safe for kids?
Infants are more vulnerable to Calcium peroxide (flour bleaching agent; E930) than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.
What products contain calcium peroxide (flour bleaching agent; e930)?
Calcium peroxide (flour bleaching agent; E930) appears in: Manufacturing plants (Industrial facilities); Chemical storage areas (Industrial facilities); Factories (Occupational environments); Warehouses (Occupational environments).
What should I do if my child is exposed to calcium peroxide (flour bleaching agent; e930)?
Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.
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Look up products containing calcium peroxide (flour bleaching agent; e930), compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in baby View raw API dataSources (1)
- Calcium Peroxide CAS 1305-79-9 CaO2 E930 Flour Bleaching Maturing Agent; FDA 21 CFR 137.105 ≤75 ppm; EU E930; EFSA 2008 EFSA Journal 6(6):723 No Safety Concern; CaO2 + H2O → Ca(OH)2 + H2O2 Active Species; Catalase Peroxidase H2O2 Degradation Natural Cellular Metabolite; Carotenoid Bleaching Conjugated Chromophore Oxidation White Flour; Gluten Disulfide Bond Sulfhydryl Oxidation Strengthening; No Problematic By-Products vs Bromate Carcinogenicity vs ADA Semicarbazide; Calcium Nutritive By-Product; In-Situ Chemical Oxidation Groundwater Remediation Different Environmental Use; Baker's Improver Blends Complement Ascorbic Acid (2008) — regulatory
Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for veterinary, medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →