Calcium Chloride . . . It's what made Marlboro's so addictive. That and the ammonia
It turns out that calcium chloride is indeed a type of salt. According to the CODEX General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA), it?s official use is as a stabilizer,? firming agent, and thickener. Calcium chloride is generally recognized as safe (GRAS)? by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (which never sounds like resoundingly confident endorsement). Wikiedia points out that it?s an? electrolyte? and is used in some sports drinks. In addition to preserving canned vegetables, ? it?s often used to make pickles.

