Polyphosphates | whatsinit

About

What it is and where it shows up.

Polyphosphates (E452) are a group of inorganic phosphate polymer salts — comprising sodium, potassium, sodium-calcium, and calcium polyphosphate forms — used in food processing as emulsifiers, stabilizers, sequestrants, and thickeners. They are commonly added to processed meats, seafood, bakery products, and soft drinks to retain moisture, improve texture and tenderness, prevent microbial growth, and extend shelf life.

Safety summary

The regulatory and scientific consensus.

EFSA derived a group ADI of 40 mg/kg body weight per day (expressed as phosphorus) for all food-additive phosphates including E452 in its 2019 re-evaluation, finding no concern for genotoxicity or carcinogenicity; however, estimated dietary exposure may exceed this ADI for some consumers, particularly those using phosphate-containing food supplements. The ADI explicitly does not apply to individuals with moderate to severe kidney dysfunction, who face risks of hyperphosphatemia. Emerging research also raises concerns about potential cardiovascular effects and adverse gut microbiome changes with excessive polyphosphate intake.

Regulatory landscape

What food-safety regulators have decided.

Jurisdiction	Status	Note
FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India)	Approved	Polyphosphates are permitted as food additives under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011 for specified food categories including processed meat and seafood products; food-category-specific maximum use levels are defined in the FSSAI compendium.source
FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States)	Approved	Sodium hexametaphosphate (primary E452 subtype) is classified as GRAS under 21 CFR 182.6760 for use as an emulsifier, sequestrant, and texturizer. Other polyphosphate salts are permitted as direct food additives under 21 CFR Part 182 with use governed by GMP conditions.source
EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union)	Under_review	European Commission published a 2023 call for technical data specifically on E452(i insoluble), E452(ii), E452(iii), and E452(iv) to address nanoscale particle safety questions identified by EFSA; these subtypes remain on the Union permitted-additives list pending operator data submission under Regulation (EU) 2015/2283.source

Who should approach with care

Whose guidance would steer them away.

Kidney Disease — EFSA's group ADI for E452 explicitly does not apply to persons with moderate to severe renal dysfunction; impaired phosphate excretion leads to hyperphosphatemia, which is strongly associated with increased morbidity and mortality in this population.

Heart Disease — Some studies associate high dietary inorganic polyphosphate intake with elevated serum phosphate, vascular calcification, and increased cardiovascular disease risk, suggesting caution in individuals with pre-existing cardiac conditions.

Children — EFSA found that estimated phosphate additive exposure may exceed the group ADI for children above 3 years who regularly consume phosphate-containing food supplements, warranting monitoring of total phosphate intake in this age group.

Elderly — Age-related decline in renal clearance may reduce the body's ability to excrete excess phosphate, increasing the risk of hyperphosphatemia when polyphosphate additive intake is combined with naturally high dietary phosphorus in older adults.

Research citations

The sources behind this verdict.

1other. Call for technical data on the permitted food additives phosphoric acid–phosphates – di-, tri- and polyphosphates (E 338–341, E 343, E 450–452), 2023. food.ec.europa.eu
2PubMed. Hexametaphosphate, a Common Food Additive, Aggregated the Hen Egg White Lysozyme, 2023. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
3EFSA. 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. efsa.europa.eu
4PubMed. 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
5EFSA. EFSA issues new advice on phosphates, 2019. efsa.europa.eu

Independently researched5 citations