Magnesium phosphates
Phosphate; moderate intakes acceptable.
- Category
- Stabilisers, Thickeners
- Acceptable daily intake
- 40 mg/kg body weight/day (EFSA)
- Vegan
- Yes
- Vegetarian
- Yes
What it is
A phosphate salt used as an anti-caking agent, dough conditioner, or calcium fortifier.
How it is used in food
Anti-caking agent and acidity regulator.
Commonly found in- Baking powder
- Fortified cereals
- Processed cheese
Health and safety
Low in itself; magnesium is an essential mineral and the salt is poorly absorbed. As with all phosphate additives, it is the diet-wide phosphate total that matters, particularly for people with kidney disease.
EFSA set a group acceptable intake of 40 mg phosphorus per kg of body weight per day in 2019, covering all phosphate additives together — the limit is about total phosphate across the diet, not this additive alone.
Regulatory status
| Region | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Australia & New Zealand FSANZ |
Permitted | Permitted under the FSANZ Food Standards Code. |
| European Union EFSA / European Commission |
Permitted | Authorised for food use under EU regulations (Annex II). |
| United States FDA (Food and Drug Administration) |
Permitted | Authorised for food use by the FDA (often GRAS for standard additives). |
Identification on labels
- E-number
- E343
Worth knowing
Like calcium phosphates, it is subject to the group ADI for total dietary phosphorus.
Conclusion
You only need to keep an eye on magnesium phosphates if you need to monitor your overall phosphate intake, particularly if you have kidney disease. While magnesium itself is an essential mineral, EFSA set a group acceptable daily intake of 40 mg of phosphorus per kg of body weight across all dietary phosphates. For most people, magnesium phosphates are a bounded concern tied to total processed food intake.
References
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Open the appEntry last reviewed 2026-07-28.
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