E338Antioxidant · Sequestrant
Phosphoric acid
What the research shows
Concerning
in animal and lab studies only
A colorless, odorless solid, commonly an 85% watery solution.1
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- EU permitted
What research says
Animal and lab studies only
-
Concern
Infection urinary stones2
In lab studies, phosphoric acid made infection stone minerals form earlier, but only when urine had certain bacteria.
The signal at the top counts the findings in people and in animal and lab studies. A concern in studies of people outranks animal and lab studies, and “No concerns” needs at least one finding in people. When most findings in people point one way, the page leans that way (“Mostly”), and every finding is still shown. Findings whose study type is not stated are shown but not counted. This page is a reference, not medical advice. It describes what regulators and published research say. Talk to a doctor or dietitian about your own diet.
What expert reviews concluded
Expert panels that weigh all the research. Shown for context: the signal at the top does not count them.
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UN and WHO food additive experts (JECFA), 1982
Reviewed its safety in 1982.
Regulatory status
Checked Sep 2026-
United States Permitted FDA 21 CFR 182.1073
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European Union Permitted EUR-Lex Reg. (EC) 1333/2008
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United Kingdom Permitted FSA retained EU law
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Canada Permitted Health Canada · Adjusting Agents
Status reflects the named register on the date checked. It is not a safety rating.
How we checkProducts
The 6 most-scanned of 5,094 products on Open Food Facts that list phosphoric acid.
- Cocacola original 500 Coca-Cola · 1 l 3 additives
- Coke Zero Coca-Cola · 330 ml 5 additives
- Coke Original Taste Coca-Cola · 33 cl 2 additives
- Coca Cola Original taste Coca-Cola · 1.5 l 2 additives
- Coca-Cola Zero Azúcar Coca-Cola · 330 ml 4 additives
- Original Taste Coca-Cola · 0.5 l 3 additives
References
- 1Phosphoric acid. Wikipedia. Accessed September 26, 2026. CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 2Prywer J, Mielniczek-Brzóska E, Torzewska A. Phosphoric Acid Versus Biogenic Mineralization of Hydroxyapatite and Carbonate Apatite in Relation to Infection-Induced Urinary Stones: Physical, Chemical and Microbiological Aspects. Chempluschem. 2025;90(5):e202400712. doi:10.1002/cplu.202400712