www.bfr.bund.deIntake of Phosphates: Babies, infants and children can exceed the health guidance values
BfR Communication No 022/2019 of 13 June 2019
Phosphates are essential substances that occur naturally in the human body and make up aconsiderable portion of our nutrition. They occur in almost all foods, especially those high inprotein, such as cheese, cold cuts and meat. A certain group of phosphates is authorised asfood additives in the European Union. They are added to a large number of foods to perform
various technological functions, e.g. as acidity regulators. These include soft drinks, especially cola beverages, whipped cream and cream products, milk drinks, milk powder and coffee
whitener, as well as meat products.
Within the scope of a re-evaluation published on 12 June 2019, the European Food Safety
Authority (EFSA) derived an acceptable daily intake (ADI) for phosphates. The ADI value of40 mg/kg body weight per day expressed as phosphorus applies to the uptake of phosphorus
from foods which can naturally contain phosphates and those to which phosphates can beadded as a food additives.
https://www.efsa.europa.eu/de/efsajournal/pub/5674
EFSA derived the group ADI of 40 mg/kg body weight per day for healthy adults. It does not
apply to people with a moderate to severe impairment of kidney function who constitutes a
special risk group. Infants, toddlers and children can exceed this value even with average
consumption quantities. This also applies to adolescents with a phosphate-rich diet.
The acceptable daily intake for phosphate is the estimated maximum amount to which individuals may be exposed daily over their lifetimes without appreciable health risk. From a toxicological point of view therefore, total intake of phosphate should not result in an exceedance of the acceptable daily intake on a regular basis. EFSA recommends the introduction ofmaximum levels to reduce the levels of phosphates used as additives in food supplements.
The European Commission is considering measures to lower phosphate levels in food. The
BfR agrees with EFSA’s scientific assessment.
Consumers cannot recognise how much phosphate is contained in unprocessed foods. Forprocessed foods, the list of ingredients gives information on whether food additives containing phosphates are contained. EFSA estimates that food additives account for between 6and 30 percent of average total phosphorus intake.
Phosphates are vital for all living organisms. They are essential substances that occur naturally in the human body and make up a considerable portion of our nutrition. They occur inalmost all foods, especially those high in protein, such as cheese, cold cuts and meat. Nuts,legumes, fruit and vegetables can also contain larger quantities of phosphates. A certain
group of phosphates is authorised as food additives in the European Union. They are added
to a large number of foods to perform various technological functions, e.g. as acidity regulators. Examples of foods with phosphate additives are refreshing drinks, especially cola,
whipped cream and cream products, milk drinks, milk powder and coffee whitener, as well asmeat products.
The EFSA opinion deals with the re-evaluation of phosphoric acid, phosphates and di-, triand polyphosphates (E 338-341, E 343, E 450-452) when used as food additives. Phos-© BfR, Page 1 of 3

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www.bfr.bund.dephates are authorised as food additives in the European Union (EU) according to Regulation(EC) No. 1333/2008.
Phosphates have a low acute oral toxicity and according to the latest available scientificknowledge, raise no concerns with regard to genotoxicity and carcinogenicity. In toxicity studies, the only undesired (adverse) effects of phosphates administered in high doses are calcification of the kidneys and tubularnephropathy. The epidemiological studies examined foundno consistent associations between phosphate intake and cardiovascular events.
EFSA derived an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 40 mg/kg body weight per day expressedas phosphorus as health-based guidance value. This guidance value offers protection to
healthy adults because it is below the dosages at which clinically relevant undesired (adverse) effects occur. This value does not apply to people with a moderate to severe reductionof their kidney function, however.
Infants, toddlers and children can exceed this ADI value even with average consumption
quantities. This also applies to adolescents with a phosphate-rich diet. The data gives nocause for concern about the safety of infants below 16 weeks of age who consume formulaand food for special medical purposes containing phosphates.
Phosphates can currently be used quantum satis (i.e. as much as technologically necessary)as additives in food supplements. EFSA noted that for those above the age of 3 years whotake such supplements regularly, estimated exposure may exceed the ADI at levels associated with risks for kidney function. On the basis of the exposure assessment, EFSA recommends the introduction of maximum levels for phosphates used as additives in food supplements.
EFSA conducted a public consultation in order to gain information relevant for the reevaluation of food additives containing phosphates from groups with an interest in the areasof nephrology, mineral metabolism, cardiovascular and nutrition medicine. The EFSA scientists took these comments and remarks into account when preparing this scientific opinion.
EFSA opinions are usually given due consideration initially by the risk managers in a workgroup of the European Commission and then if necessary in the Standing Committee onPlants, Animals, Food and Feed (PAFF Committee) 1. It is up to risk management to decide
whether measures have to be taken or not and what these measures are to be. They can
include changes to the conditions of use, for example, as well as restriction of use.
Consumers cannot recognise how much phosphate is contained in unprocessed foods. Forprocessed foods, the list of ingredients gives information on whether additives containing
phosphates are contained. EFSA estimates that food additives account for between 6 and 30
percent of average total phosphorus intake.

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https://ec.europa.eu/food/safety/reg_com/toxic_en© BfR, Page 2 of 3Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung
www.bfr.bund.deMore information on the topic of additives at the BfR website:
https://www.bfr.bund.de/de/bewertung_von_lebensmittelzusatzstoffen-2274.html
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About the BfR
The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) is a scientifically independent institution within the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) in Germany.
It advises the Federal Government and Federal Laender on questions of food, chemical andproduct safety. The BfR conducts its own research on topics that are closely linked to its assessment tasks.

This text version is a translation of the original German text which is the only legally binding
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