Phosphoric Acid
The tangy mineral acid that gives cola its bite
What is Phosphoric Acid?
Phosphoric Acid (E338) is a sweetener or food additive used for acidulant and ph regulator — lowers ph for tartness and microbial stability. NutriDex grades the human evidence as Moderate. Phosphoric acid (E338) is an inorganic mineral acid used as an acidulant, flavor sharpener and pH buffer, most famously the source of cola's tangy taste. It is GRAS in the US (21 CFR 182.1073) and approved in the EU, with regulators treating it as one of a group of phosphate additives. JECFA assigned a group maximum tolerable daily intake (MTDI) of 70 mg/kg body weight as phosphorus, and EFSA's 2019 re-evaluation set a group ADI of 40 mg/kg bw/day as phosphorus. At the additive level itself the human evidence is reassuring, but total phosphate exposure can exceed the ADI in children, and high phosphorus loads carry cardiovascular and bone signals that matter mainly in chronic kidney disease and heavy cola drinkers.