Phosphoric Acid (Food Grade, E338) · Acidulant & pH Control for Beverages, Syrups & Food Processing
Food-grade phosphoric acid (E338), also known as orthophosphoric acid, is a widely used acidulant and pH control ingredient in the food and beverage industry. It is especially common in cola and dark soft drinks, beverage syrups and flavored drinks where it contributes a clean, sharp acidity and supports flavor balance. Phosphoric acid is also used in confectionery and food processing to adjust pH, support process consistency and help manage stability in formulations where mineral interactions influence performance. Atlas Global Trading Co. supplies food-grade phosphoric acid with documentation support and global logistics from Ankara, Türkiye.
Ingredient permissions, maximum use levels and labelling rules vary by country and product category. Atlas provides documentation support; customers remain responsible for confirming regulatory compliance and declarations for their destination markets.
What food-grade phosphoric acid does in formulations
Phosphoric acid is used to acidify and control pH. In beverages, pH influences flavor perception, microbiological stability and ingredient compatibility. Phosphoric acid is often preferred in cola profiles because it provides a distinct acidity character compared with common organic acids such as citric or malic acid. In processing, it is used to adjust pH in liquid systems and to support consistency where pH affects stability, reaction rates or the performance of other ingredients. Concentration and dosing should be validated under real production conditions to meet taste and stability targets.
Key characteristics
- Chemical name: Orthophosphoric acid (H3PO4).
- Food additive reference: Commonly E338 in many labelling systems.
- Primary roles:
- Acidulant for flavor balance and sensory profile,
- pH control and contribution to buffering behavior in beverage and processing systems,
- Process consistency support in formulations where pH affects stability and texture.
- Typical appearance: Clear liquid; supplied in specified concentrations.
- Solubility: Fully miscible with water; typically dosed via dilution or metering systems.
- Handling considerations:
- Acid handling requires appropriate equipment and safety practices,
- Use compatible materials of construction for storage and transfer systems.
Atlas can support concentration selection, packaging choices and the documentation package for food-grade phosphoric acid used in beverage plants, syrup houses and food processors.
Indicative specification points
Specifications depend on concentration and destination requirements. Typical quality control points for food-grade phosphoric acid include:
- Assay / concentration: expressed as % H3PO4 (as specified); confirmed on COA.
- Appearance and color: controlled for beverage and food use.
- Density / specific gravity: used to confirm concentration and dosing consistency.
- Impurities: controlled according to food additive standards (for example, chlorides, sulfates, fluorides and related parameters as applicable).
- Heavy metals and contaminants: within applicable food-grade limits.
- Arsenic and other sensitive parameters: controlled to meet applicable purity standards.
Each lot is supplied with a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and specification sheet. Additional documents can include allergen statements, GMO status (where relevant), origin declarations and Halal/Kosher certificates depending on the selected manufacturer and destination requirements.
Applications of phosphoric acid in beverages, syrups, confectionery and processing
Phosphoric acid is used in many liquid food systems for pH adjustment and flavor shaping. Dosing depends on product style, sweetness system, mineral content, carbonation level and local requirements. Plants typically dose via controlled metering into water or syrup streams, then validate final pH and sensory profile.
Beverages and beverage syrups
- Cola and dark CSD profiles where a sharp acidity signature is desired.
- Concentrated beverage syrups to set acidity in the syrup phase and achieve a consistent finished beverage pH after dilution.
- Flavored waters and specialty beverages where mineral content and other ingredients require controlled pH management.
- Sweetener system balancing: acidity can influence sweetness perception and aftertaste, so trials should evaluate sweetener and acid synergy.
Confectionery and flavored systems
- Acid adjustment for flavor balance in certain sugar confectionery systems.
- Acidification of liquid flavor bases, syrups and toppings where pH impacts taste and stability.
- Process consistency support where pH affects crystallization behavior or flavor expression.
Food processing and industrial manufacturing
- pH adjustment in liquid processing streams, sauces or brines where pH affects performance or stability.
- Systems where mineral interactions influence product behavior and controlled acidity is part of the technical design.
- Standardizing acidity in multi-ingredient liquid blends to reduce batch-to-batch variation.
Dairy-style and protein-containing drinks
- Acidity management in beverages where proteins, minerals and stabilizers must remain compatible.
- Process trials are recommended because pH can affect protein stability, mouthfeel and heat tolerance.
Acidity character differs from organic acids
Phosphoric acid contributes an acidity profile that many formulators associate with cola-style beverages. When switching between acids (for example, from citric to phosphoric acid), re-balance the overall taste system, including sweeteners, flavors and buffering salts.
For broader acidulant options, see our Acidulants group.
Metering, dilution and measurement discipline
Industrial plants typically use dilution and metering to improve dosing accuracy and operator safety. Establish standard dilution procedures, verify density or concentration where relevant, and define pH sampling points that reflect the actual finished product.
Where product specifications include pH ranges, document the test method and temperature for measurement to ensure repeatable readings across shifts.
Typical supply formats, concentrations and selection guidance
Food-grade phosphoric acid is commonly supplied as an aqueous solution. Concentration selection impacts handling, dosing accuracy and storage. Atlas can support the selection based on your plant setup, packaging preference and destination documentation requirements.
Common concentrations
- Common commercial solutions include approximately 75% and 85% H3PO4 (subject to supplier availability).
- Other concentrations can be supplied for specific process needs and metering systems.
- Concentration should be chosen together with storage, transfer equipment, dilution strategy and operator safety practices.
If your process uses volumetric metering, concentration and temperature can influence density and dosing accuracy. Plants often validate dosing using both metered volume and analytical checks (pH and/or concentration verification).
Selection checklist
- Finished product pH target and sensory profile.
- Water quality and mineral content (which can shift buffering behavior).
- Sweetener and flavor system interactions.
- Equipment compatibility (materials of construction for tanks, pumps, seals and piping).
- Packaging and receiving capability (drums, IBC, bulk).
- Documentation needs for your customers and export markets.
For phosphate group products and related items, visit Phosphates or the Product Index (A–Z).
Packaging options, storage conditions and safe handling
Packaging and storage selection should match your receiving infrastructure and safety procedures. As an acid, phosphoric acid requires appropriate PPE, compatible equipment and clear operating instructions.
Typical packaging options
- HDPE drums (commonly used for smaller industrial receiving volumes).
- IBC totes for plants with intermediate bulk handling.
- Bulk shipments available for qualified projects and appropriate receiving systems.
Packaging formats vary by supplier and destination logistics. Atlas will confirm the available options, net weights and palletization standards during quotation.
Storage and handling guidance
- Store in closed containers in a dry, well-ventilated area away from incompatible materials.
- Use compatible materials for storage tanks, pumps and transfer lines as specified by your engineering and safety team.
- Use secondary containment and implement spill response procedures consistent with your site rules and the MSDS.
- For dilution, add acid to water under controlled mixing per your safety instructions and equipment design.
Always follow your site safety procedures and the supplier MSDS. Atlas can provide documentation and handling guidance for industrial operations.
Documentation package for food-grade phosphoric acid
Atlas Global Trading Co. supports customer audits and export projects by organizing consistent documentation and change control alignment with selected producers. Document availability depends on the manufacturer, grade and destination requirements.
COA, MSDS and technical specification
Typical supply includes a Certificate of Analysis (COA) per lot, an MSDS, and a product specification sheet. If your internal QA requires method references, Atlas can help align key parameters and test descriptions with your incoming control plans.
For multi-site operations, maintain a controlled dossier with clear product naming and revision history to avoid certificate and label mismatches.
Compliance statements and certificates
Depending on the selected manufacturer, documentation can include allergen statements, GMO status declarations (where relevant), origin statements and Halal/Kosher certificates where available.
Final label declaration and permitted use are determined by local regulations and your product category. Atlas can support with documentation and clarity during qualification.
Common questions from beverage and food manufacturers
These answers provide practical guidance for industrial teams. For market-specific requirements, confirm with your regulatory and quality teams.
How is phosphoric acid different from citric or malic acid in beverages?
Each acid contributes a distinct acidity profile and can change how sweetness and flavors are perceived. Phosphoric acid is often associated with cola-style sharpness. When changing acids, re-balance the full taste system and validate both pH and sensory profile after processing and during shelf-life.
What should we control during dosing in a syrup house or beverage line?
Define dilution procedures, metering checks and sampling points. Record temperature and method for pH measurement, and confirm the relationship between acid addition, syrup concentration and finished product pH. Plants typically establish alarm limits and corrective actions to prevent batch drift.
Can phosphoric acid impact stability in protein-containing drinks?
pH can influence protein behavior, mineral balance and stabilizer performance. In protein systems, conduct trials across expected process conditions (heat, shear, holding time) and evaluate stability during shelf-life. Atlas can support product selection and documentation for qualification.
What packaging is best for our operation?
Packaging should match your receiving volume, storage capacity and safety setup. Drums suit smaller volumes, IBCs reduce handling steps for mid-size plants, and bulk delivery can be suitable for continuous high-volume consumption with appropriate receiving systems.
Related Atlas product pages and groups
Use these links to navigate to relevant groups and frequently used phosphate items.
Phosphates
Browse phosphate products used for buffering, functionality and industrial processing.
Acidulants
Explore acids and citrate salts used for taste, pH and buffering systems.
Product Index (A–Z)
Find products quickly by name and jump to the exact page.
Monocalcium Phosphate (MCP)
Acid phosphate commonly used in leavening systems and processing applications.
Dicalcium Phosphate (DCP)
Calcium phosphate used in food and nutrition formulations depending on grade.
Regulations & formulation articles
Technical guidance for documentation, processing and application design.
Request a quote, documentation set or sample guidance
Share your target application (beverage type, syrup concentration, process conditions and destination market). Atlas Global Trading Co. can recommend a suitable grade, packaging format and documentation package aligned with your project needs.