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Calcium stearate

Calcium stearate suppliers and sourcing guide

Calcium stearate is the calcium salt of stearic acid; commercial grades also contain calcium palmitate because food-grade stearic acid is a blend of fatty acids. It is made by precipitation, reacting calcium chloride with sodium stearate in water, or by reacting stearic acid directly with lime. The result is a fine, white, water-insoluble powder used as a lubricant in tablets and capsules, a release agent in confectionery and an anticaking agent in salt and seasonings.

See suppliersWhat to ask for on the COA
Also known as
Octadecanoic acid, calcium salt · Stearic acid, calcium salt · E470a · CAS 1592-23-0
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of calcium stearate

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

  • Vegetable-sourced

    Made from stearic acid from palm or other vegetable oils, often with kosher or halal certification and sometimes RSPO-certified palm.

  • Animal-sourced

    Made from tallow-derived stearic acid; less common in supplements and excluded from vegetarian products.

  • Food and pharmaceutical grades

    FCC grades for food and NF or Ph. Eur. grades for tablets and capsules, which differ in tests and limits.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

Calcium assay
Calcium (often as calcium oxide) by EDTA titration on a dry basis, against the grade range.
Fatty acid composition
Stearic and palmitic acid content by GC, which shows the source blend and affects lubrication.
Free fatty acid and loss on drying
Unreacted fatty acid by titration and moisture by loss on drying.
Heavy metals
Lead and other metals by ICP-MS against the FCC or monograph limits.
Particle size and specific surface area
Fineness and surface area, which control how strongly the powder lubricates and how it affects tablet hardness.
Microbiology
Total plate count, yeast and mold, coliforms or E. coli, and Salmonella, which matter most when the ingredient goes uncooked into powders, capsules or tablets.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Store in closed containers in a cool, dry place away from heat. It is stable, but can pick up odors and clump if damp; shelf life or retest date comes from the supplier specification.

Lots and expiry dates

Particle size, surface area and the stearic-to-palmitic ratio vary by lot and source and can change tablet hardness and ejection force. Record source (vegetable or animal) and fatty acid profile per lot and keep blending times consistent.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.

Calcium stearate suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking calcium stearate suppliers now

Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.

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Frequently asked questions

What forms of calcium stearate can brands buy?

Common forms include vegetable-sourced, animal-sourced and food and pharmaceutical grades. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for calcium stearate include?

Expect calcium assay, fatty acid composition, free fatty acid and loss on drying, heavy metals, particle size and specific surface area and microbiology, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should calcium stearate be stored?

Store in closed containers in a cool, dry place away from heat. It is stable, but can pick up odors and clump if damp; shelf life or retest date comes from the supplier specification.

What is the regulatory status of calcium stearate?

21 CFR 184.1229 affirms calcium stearate, the calcium salt of stearic acid derived from edible sources, as GRAS for use in food with no limitation other than current good manufacturing practice. The GRAS uses in 21 CFR 184.1229 include flavoring agent and adjuvant, lubricant and release agent, and stabilizer and thickener. Health Canada's List of Permitted Anticaking Agents allows calcium stearate as an anticaking agent in garlic salt and onion salt. Health Canada's Natural Health Products Ingredients Database lists calcium stearate with non-medicinal purposes including anticaking agent, binder and lubricant.

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