Phosphoric Acid and Phosphate Additives
Last reviewed October 18, 2026 · Evidence strength: Limited · How we grade evidence
In plain words: Phosphoric acid gives cola its tang, and phosphate additives show up in processed meats, cheese and baked goods. Soda doesn't "melt" bones, but women who drink cola regularly tend to have lower bone density, partly because cola replaces milk. Phosphate from additives is absorbed very easily, which matters most for anyone with kidney disease.
Also listed on labels as: Phosphoric acid (E338), Sodium phosphate, Calcium phosphate, Disodium phosphate, Sodium tripolyphosphate, Sodium acid pyrophosphate, E339-E341, E450-E452
What is it, and why is it in food?
Phosphoric acid adds sharp tartness to colas. Other phosphates help baked goods rise, keep processed cheese smooth, hold water in meats and adjust acidity. They're in cola, snack cakes, cookies, bread, processed cheese and deli meats.
What does the science say?
| The popular claim | "Why Soda Melts Your Bones" (title of a Dr. Eric Berg video; we couldn't verify what the video says, so we graded the title only). |
| Our verdict on that claim | Partly supported |
| Evidence strength | Limited: population studies and reviews; kidney relevance is well documented. |
| Kinds of studies | Population studies, reviews, meta-analysis, EU review |
- Bones: In the Framingham study, women who drank cola (but not other sodas) had 3.7% to 5.4% lower hip bone density. Men didn't. This is a population link, partly because cola replaces milk.1
- Absorption: Phosphate from additives is absorbed almost completely, unlike phosphorus naturally bound in foods. That's a known problem in kidney disease and possibly for everyone; no trials yet.2
- Heart: Higher blood phosphate levels are linked with higher heart-related death in the general population (about 36% higher, highest vs lowest).3
What do regulators say?
- EFSA (2019) set a group safe daily limit of 40 mg phosphorus per kg of body weight and noted that infants, toddlers and children with high intakes can exceed it, with caution for reduced kidney function.4
- FDA: phosphoric acid and most phosphates are GRAS.
Who should be careful?
- People with kidney disease: additive phosphates matter a lot. Ask your care team how to read labels for "phos" ingredients.
- Teen girls and women who drink cola instead of milk.
How common is it in US foods?
In our check of USDA's Branded Foods database, 5,593 of 438,129 US packaged foods with an ingredient list name phosphoric acid (about 1.3%, or roughly 1 in 78).5 It shows up most often in: soda (1,432); salad dressing & mayonnaise (783); cakes, cupcakes, snack cakes (359); iced & bottle tea (316); breads & buns (237). Counting all phosphate additives (like sodium phosphate and sodium acid pyrophosphate), the number rises to about 74,300 products, roughly 1 in 6. These are label records companies sent to USDA, mostly in 2021 to 2023, so some products have changed since. Counts come from a text match of ingredient lists and are approximate.
Swaps and tips for families
- Swap cola for milk, water or sparkling water with fruit.
- For kidney diets, look for "phos" in ingredient lists and choose fresh meats and natural cheeses over processed versions.
Beyond the plate: related non-food exposures
Phosphates in detergents (largely phased out for US and EU laundry and dishwasher detergents) affect waterways, not human health. Phosphoric acid is used in rust removers and dental etching.
Frequently asked questions
Does soda weaken your bones?
Soda doesn't melt bones, but women who drink cola regularly tend to have slightly lower hip bone density, partly because cola replaces milk.
Are phosphate additives bad for you?
They're absorbed very easily, which is a real concern for people with kidney disease. For others, the evidence is mostly population links.
Which foods have phosphate additives?
Colas, processed cheese, deli meats, baked goods, snack cakes and many frozen foods.
Related guides
Sources
Every source below was checked against PubMed, the publisher or the official page by our research team in October 2026.
- Colas, but not other carbonated beverages, are associated with low bone mineral density in older women: The Framingham Osteoporosis Study. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 2006. PubMed 17023723 · doi:10.1093/ajcn/84.4.936
- Phosphate additives in food--a health risk. Deutsches Arzteblatt international, 2012. PubMed 22334826 · doi:10.3238/arztebl.2012.0049
- Serum phosphorus, cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in the general population: A meta-analysis. Clinica chimica acta; international journal of clinical chemistry, 2016. PubMed 27475981 · doi:10.1016/j.cca.2016.07.020
- 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. European Food Safety Authority, 2019. PubMed 32626329 · doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2019.5674
- FoodData Central, Branded Foods dataset (release 2026-04-30). U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 2026. Link
This guide is for general education. It is not medical advice and does not replace advice from your doctor, pediatrician, allergist or registered dietitian. If you think you or your child reacted to a food, talk to a health professional. Research changes; we review these pages when new evidence or rules come out. Last reviewed October 18, 2026. Spotted an error? Email [email protected].