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E338 - Phosphoric acid

Additive: E338 - Phosphoric acid

Functions: Antioxidant, Sequestrant

Phosphoric acid -also known as orthophosphoric acid or phosphoricV acid- is a weak acid with the chemical formula H3PO4. Orthophosphoric acid refers to phosphoric acid, which is the IUPAC name for this compound. The prefix ortho- is used to distinguish the acid from related phosphoric acids, called polyphosphoric acids. Orthophosphoric acid is a non-toxic acid, which, when pure, is a solid at room temperature and pressure. The conjugate base of phosphoric acid is the dihydrogen phosphate ion, H2PO−4, which in turn has a conjugate base of hydrogen phosphate, HPO2−4, which has a conjugate base of phosphate, PO3−4. Phosphates are essential for life.The most common source of phosphoric acid is an 85% aqueous solution; such solutions are colourless, odourless, and non-volatile. The 85% solution is a syrupy liquid, but still pourable. Although phosphoric acid does not meet the strict definition of a strong acid, the 85% solution is acidic enough to be corrosive. Because of the high percentage of phosphoric acid in this reagent, at least some of the orthophosphoric acid is condensed into polyphosphoric acids; for the sake of labeling and simplicity, the 85% represents H3PO4 as if it were all in the ortho form. Dilute aqueous solutions of phosphoric acid exist in the ortho form. - Wikipedia

EFSA evaluation: Re‐evaluation of phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates -E 338–341, E 343, E 450–452- as food additives and the safety of proposed extension of use (2019/06/12)

High risk of over exposure
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has determined that some population groups have a high risk of consuming too much E338 - Phosphoric acid.

To evaluate your exposure to the E338 - Phosphoric acid food additive, you can browse our list of products that contain it. See the list of products with E338 - Phosphoric acid below.

  InfantsToddlersChildrenAdolescentsAdultsElderly
  < 11 to 23 to 910 to 1718 to 6465+
High risk
(50% of people or more)		Groups with more than 50% of members exceeding the acceptable daily intake (ADI)Groups with more than 50% of members exceeding the acceptable daily intake (ADI)Groups with more than 50% of members exceeding the acceptable daily intake (ADI)   
Moderate risk
(5% of people or more)		Groups with more than 5% of members exceeding the acceptable daily intake (ADI)Groups with more than 5% of members exceeding the acceptable daily intake (ADI)Groups with more than 5% of members exceeding the acceptable daily intake (ADI)Groups with more than 5% of members exceeding the acceptable daily intake (ADI)  

Risk of reaching or exceeding the acceptable daily intake (ADI) : Risk of reaching or exceeding the acceptable daily intake (ADI)

6,586 products