Potassium Phosphate
The short version
Sodium-free phosphate salts — buffers, leavening acids, and electrolyte sources.
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
Group ADI of 40 mg/kg body weight per day for phosphates, expressed as phosphorus (EFSA 2019). JECFA (2026) kept its maximum tolerable daily intake of 70 mg/kg body weight for phosphorus from all sources. Like other added phosphates, contributes to the elevated-phosphate intake associated with cardiovascular and bone-health concerns in populations with high processed-food exposure or impaired kidney function.
Sources
- EFSA — Re-evaluation of phosphoric acid–phosphates – di-, tri- and polyphosphates (E 338–341, E 343, E 450–452) as food additives (2019) — EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings (FAF), EFSA Journal 17(6):5674, 2019. Group ADI 40 mg/kg bw/day expressed as phosphorus
- JECFA — Potassium dihydrogen phosphate (INS 340(i)), evaluation summary — WHO / Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives, 2026. JECFA 2026 kept the group MTDI of 70 mg/kg bw (as P)
- US 21 CFR 182.6285 — Dipotassium phosphate (GRAS) — US eCFR (Office of the Federal Register), 2026. US GRAS status (dipotassium phosphate)
Checked against these sources on .
Educational information only. Not medical, dietary or veterinary advice. Spotted an error? Tell us.