Phosphoric Acid
The short version
The signature acidulant of cola drinks — provides the characteristic sharp 'bite'.
It's permitted and generally considered safe, but there are a few reasons to be mindful — like sensitivities in some people, debated studies, or intake limits. The Safety section below explains the specifics.
Safety profile
JECFA set a maximum tolerable daily intake (not an ADI) of 70 mg/kg body weight for phosphorus from all sources in 1982. In 2019 EFSA set a group ADI of 40 mg/kg body weight per day for phosphates, expressed as phosphorus, and estimated that phosphorus intake from the whole diet in infants, toddlers and other children exceeded it at the mean level. Long-term high intake (mainly from cola consumption) has been associated with reduced bone mineral density in observational studies — the calcium-phosphorus balance is the proposed mechanism. Strong erosive effect on tooth enamel.
Sources
- EFSA — 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 (EFSA Journal 2019;17(6):5674) — EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings (FAF), EFSA Journal (via PubMed Central), 2019. EFSA group ADI 40 mg/kg bw per day as phosphorus; intakes above ADI in children
- WHO JECFA database — Phosphoric acid (INS 338), evaluation 1982 (26th meeting) — WHO / Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives, 1982. JECFA value of 70 mg/kg bw is a group MTDI for phosphorus from all sources, not an ADI
- 21 CFR 182.1073 — Phosphoric acid (GRAS), eCFR current as of 2026-10-13 — U.S. eCFR (Office of the Federal Register / GPO), 2026. US status: GRAS under good manufacturing practice
Checked against these sources on .
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