FDA Status
GRAS
Acidity Regulator · CAS 7664-38-2 · EU E338
Phosphoric Acid
FDA status: GRAS. EU: Approved. No U.S. state has enacted a specific ban yet.
3.0 / 5
Composite safety Mixed Evidence
Score 3 of 5
Phosphoric Acid: 3/5 (Mixed Evidence)
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Phosphoric Acid is classified GRAS by the FDA, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it independently of federal policy. Its composite safety score is 3 out of 5 (Mixed Evidence), and the European Union separately classifies it as approved. It is more widely-used than most tracked additives.
- 89th percentile by tracked product prevalence
The verdict
Phosphoric Acid is classified GRAS by the FDA, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it. It is more widely-used than most tracked additives (89th percentile by tracked product count).
- 3/5
- Mixed Evidence
- GRAS
- FDA status
- 89th pctile
- by product prevalence
- 0
- state regulations
Phosphoric Acid (E338), CAS 7664-38-2, is a acidity regulator additive holding a composite safety score of 3 out of 5 (Mixed Evidence). According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Substances Added to Food inventory, it is currently classified as GRAS, while the European Union lists it as Approved. This ingredient appears in approximately 1,165 tracked food products across our database. It is most commonly used as Cola drinks, processed cheese, jams.
No U.S. state has enacted specific legislation targeting Phosphoric Acid to date, keeping federal FDA classification as the operative standard. State-level food safety legislation remains active nationally, and that picture may shift as new bills advance.
Peer-reviewed research has flagged 1 distinct area of health concern for Phosphoric Acid, which factors directly into the assigned safety score. The European Food Safety Authority has published an evaluation dated 2019/06/12. EFSA has noted an overexposure risk classification of "high" for typical consumption patterns. All figures above draw on FDA SAFFA inventory records, EU food additive regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, EFSA scientific opinions where published, and legislative records from individual U.S. states.
Regulatory Snapshot
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| FDA Status | GRAS | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Approved | EC 1333/2008 |
| E-Number | E338 | EU additive register |
| CAS Number | 7664-38-2 | CAS Registry |
| Category | Acidity Regulator | FDA functional class |
| Composite Safety Score | 3 / 5 (Mixed Evidence) | PlainIngredients methodology |
| EFSA ADI | Not established | EFSA scientific opinion |
| U.S. State Actions | 0 states | State legislative records |
| Tracked Products | 1,165 | Open Food Facts (US) |
Values reflect official agency classifications as published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Union's regulatory framework. See our methodology for scoring details.
EU Status
Approved
E338
U.S. State Regulations
0 states
None enacted
Safety Assessment
Phosphoric Acid's 3/5 (Mixed Evidence) score reflects where this specific ingredient lands on that scale. The FDA classifies Phosphoric Acid as "Generally Recognized As Safe" (GRAS), meaning qualified experts consider it safe under intended conditions of use.
Research has identified 1 area of health concern associated with Phosphoric Acid. Consumers with specific health conditions should consult a healthcare provider before consuming products containing this ingredient.
How Phosphoric Acid compares
Where a safety score of 3/5 falls among all 4,509 scored ingredients tracked on PlainIngredients.
Ingredients by safety score (Phosphoric Acid highlighted)
25 of 4,509 scored ingredients (0.6%) share a safety score of 3/5.
What is Phosphoric Acid?
Adds tangy flavor to cola drinks.
Health Concerns
- Linked to reduced bone density at high consumption.
Common Uses
Cola drinks, processed cheese, jams
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phosphoric Acid safe to consume?
Phosphoric Acid has a safety score of 3/5 (Mixed Evidence). It is approved by the FDA for use in food. As with all food additives, moderation is advisable.
What is Phosphoric Acid used for in food?
Phosphoric Acid is commonly used as: Cola drinks, processed cheese, jams. It belongs to the Acidity Regulator category of food additives.
Is Phosphoric Acid banned in any US states?
Currently, no US states have enacted specific bans or regulations targeting Phosphoric Acid. However, state food safety legislation is evolving rapidly.
What is the difference between FDA and EU regulation of Phosphoric Acid?
The FDA classifies Phosphoric Acid as "GRAS", while the EU status is "Approved" (E338). The FDA and EU use separate evaluation frameworks, the EU often applies the precautionary principle, sometimes banning additives that remain approved in the US. Always check both jurisdictions when evaluating food additive safety.
What health concerns are associated with Phosphoric Acid?
Research has identified the following health concerns for Phosphoric Acid: Linked to reduced bone density at high consumption.. These findings inform its safety score of 3/5. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance, especially if you have pre-existing conditions.
How is the safety score for Phosphoric Acid calculated?
The safety score of 3/5 for Phosphoric Acid is a composite assessment based on FDA regulatory status, EU approval status, published scientific research on health effects, and state-level legislative actions. A score of 1 means "Banned / Avoid" and 5 means "Generally Safe." The score is updated as new regulatory actions or scientific evidence emerge.
Data Sources
- FDA Substances Added to Food (SAFFA) Inventory
- EU Food Additive Regulations (EC) No 1333/2008
- State food safety legislation and bill records
Related Acidity Regulator Ingredients
What to do about Phosphoric Acid
Use the regulatory picture, not a single score, to decide.
- Check the FDA status (GRAS) and EU status (Approved) before assuming it is risk-free. How we score
- Compare it against the most-restricted additives in the U.S. supply. View rankings
- Scan a whole ingredient label at once to flag the concerning entries. Label checker
Safety scores summarise regulatory status and published concerns; they are not medical or dietary advice.
Every figure on PlainIngredients is rendered directly from FDA, EU, EFSA and U.S. state regulatory records, no number is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.