What is E341?
Calcium phosphate — one of the most common calcium fortification ingredients on supermarket shelves, and a mineral your bones and teeth are largely made of.
E341 (calcium phosphate) covers a family of related mineral salts — monobasic, dibasic and tribasic calcium phosphate — used as raising agents, anti-caking agents and calcium fortification ingredients. Calcium phosphate is the same mineral compound that makes up the bulk of human bone and tooth structure. Goodnessly rates it Safe.
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Read the FAQ →
What is calcium phosphate?
Calcium phosphate refers to a small family of related mineral salts formed from calcium and phosphate, grouped together under the E341 designation as monobasic (E341i), dibasic (E341ii) and tribasic (E341iii) forms, each with slightly different chemical properties and uses. It's not a foreign substance to the body: calcium phosphate is the primary mineral component of human bones and teeth, and the tribasic form is chemically very similar to natural bone mineral.
What's it used for?
- Raising agent in baking powder and self-raising flour
- Calcium fortification in breakfast cereals, plant-based milks and juices
- Anti-caking agent in powdered products
- Used in processed cheese for texture
Where you'll find 341 on the shelf
One of the most common calcium fortification ingredients on shelves.
Is calcium phosphate safe? What the research says
Calcium phosphate is chemically similar to natural bone mineral, with a clean, long-standing regulatory record.
| Region | Status | What this means |
|---|---|---|
| AU/NZ Australia & New Zealand (FSANZ) | Permitted, no limit | Permitted at quantum satis (as much as needed for the intended purpose) in most categories. |
| EU European Union (EFSA) | Permitted, no ADI | Listed as E341, with no numerical Acceptable Daily Intake needed. |
| US United States (FDA) | GRAS | Holds Generally Recognized As Safe status for general food use. |
Phosphate intake overall (from all dietary sources, not just additives) is something some health guidance suggests moderating for people with kidney disease specifically, since impaired kidneys are less able to clear excess phosphate — a consideration about total dietary phosphate rather than a specific concern about E341 itself.
- No significant regulatory changes: calcium phosphate's approval status has remained stable, reflecting its long, low-controversy safety record.
This section is checked periodically rather than continuously — if you're reading this well after the date above, it's worth confirming nothing has changed before citing it.
Who this matters to
- People with kidney disease, who may be advised to monitor total dietary phosphate intake as part of their overall care
- Otherwise, no population group has a specific safety-based reason to limit E341
Goodnessly rates E341 Safe. It's chemically similar to the mineral that makes up human bone, with a clean, long-standing regulatory record.
How to spot it on a label
E341 is usually declared clearly. Look out for:
- Calcium phosphate
- 341 or E341
- "Raising agent (341)" in the ingredients list
Baking powder and fortified cereals are the most common places to find it.
Related additives
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between monobasic, dibasic and tribasic calcium phosphate?
These are three related forms grouped under E341, each with a different ratio of calcium to phosphate and slightly different chemical properties, used for different functions like raising agents, anti-caking agents or calcium fortification.
Is calcium phosphate the same mineral as in bones?
Yes, closely. Tribasic calcium phosphate is chemically very similar to hydroxyapatite, the mineral that makes up the bulk of human bone and tooth structure.
Does Goodnessly rate E341 as safe, caution, or avoid?
Goodnessly rates E341 (Calcium Phosphate) as Safe. It's chemically similar to the mineral that makes up human bone, with a clean, long-standing regulatory record.
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