Food & drinkCautionE341

Calcium phosphates

فوسفات الكالسيوم

Raising agent / anti-caking / fortificant

The verdict

Doubles as a calcium source — but still adds to your phosphate load.

What it is

Calcium salts of phosphoric acid — raising agent, anti-caking agent, and calcium-fortification source in baked goods, flour, and plant-based milks.

⚡ WTF fact

The most 'useful' phosphate — a raising agent, anti-caking agent, and calcium fortificant in flour, baking powder, and plant milks. Still a highly-absorbed added phosphate, so it counts toward the intake ceiling EFSA flagged. It's also the plant-friendly alternative to animal-bone phosphate (E542).

Evidence & status

IARC carcinogen group

not_classified

Acceptable intake

phosphorus group ADI 40 mg P/kg bw/day (EFSA 2019); high consumers & children may exceed

EU status

approved (group ADI 40 mg P/kg, EFSA 2019)

US · FDA status

approved (GRAS)

Halal status: halal

Mineral/synthetically produced phosphate salt — halal. (Animal-bone-derived phosphate is E542, which is source-dependent.)

Worth knowing

Use caution for children

Also known as

E 341 · Calcium orthophosphates · MCP · DCP · TCP · Dicalcium phosphate · Calcium hydrogen phosphate · E341

Primary source

EFSA FAF Panel (2019). Re-evaluation of phosphoric acid–phosphates (E 338-341), di-, tri- and polyphosphates (E 450-452) and E 343 as food additives. EFSA Journal 17(6):5674. Group ADI 40 mg P/kg bw/day; intake exceeds the ADI for high consumers and children.

Evidence, not medical advice. You decide.

More in this category

Allura Red AC Amaranth Aspartame Beta-apo-8'-carotenal BHA (Butylated hydroxyanisole)BHT (Butylated hydroxytoluene)

Get ORIA when it launches

Join the waitlist - we'll email you the moment ORIA lands. Then scan any product and get a clear verdict on every ingredient, in seconds.

Coming soon to iOS and Android