About
Disodium hydrogen phosphate (Na₂HPO₄) is an inorganic sodium salt produced commercially by neutralising phosphoric acid with sodium carbonate or sodium hydroxide, followed by controlled crystallisation. It is used in food as an acidity regulator, emulsifier, texturizer, thickener, and raising agent across processed cheeses, bakery products, pasta, infant formula, and malt-based beverages.
Safety summary
EFSA's 2019 re-evaluation found phosphates to be of low acute oral toxicity with no concern for genotoxicity or carcinogenicity, establishing a group ADI of 40 mg phosphorus/kg bw/day for healthy adults. This ADI explicitly does not apply to individuals with moderate-to-severe renal impairment, who risk hyperphosphatemia. Exposure estimates for infants, toddlers, and children frequently exceed the proposed ADI at mean and 95th-percentile levels, warranting particular caution in these populations.
Regulatory landscape
| Jurisdiction | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union) | Approved | Authorised under Annex II and III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 and specific purity criteria defined in Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012. Group ADI of 40 mg/kg bw/day expressed as phosphorus applies collectively to phosphate additives E338–341, E343, E450–452, per EFSA FAF Panel 2019 re-evaluation (EFSA J. 2019;17(6):e05674). ADI is not protective for individuals with reduced renal function. Authorised also in food category 13.1 (infant and young children foods).source |
| FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India) | Approved | Approved as INS 339(ii) (Disodium ortho phosphate). Permitted as a raising agent at GMP levels in flour mixes and malt-based beverages per the FSSAI Processing Aids direction (2024). For infant formula, sodium phosphates INS 339(i, ii, iii) are restricted to a maximum of 45 mg/100 mL as phosphorus, singly or in combination, within sodium and phosphorus limits.source |
| FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States) | Approved | Listed as GRAS/FS as sequestrant (SEQ) and emulsifier (EMUL) in multiple food standards: enriched farina (21 CFR 137.305), bakery products (136.3), alimentary pastes (139), non-fat dry milk (131.130), cheeses (133), ice cream (135.30), and artificially sweetened jelly (150).source |
Who should approach with care
Research citations
- 1WHO. JECFA Monograph: Disodium hydrogen phosphate (INS 339ii). apps.who.int
- 2FDA. FDA Food Additive Status List – Disodium phosphate, 2026. fda.gov
- 3FSSAI. Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations – Comprehensive Version II, 2024. fssai.gov.in
- 4EFSA. 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. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5PubMed. 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. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
