Food-grade quality criteria
Qualify E338 identity, concentration, colour, chloride, sulfate, iron, arsenic, heavy metals and source-specific food documents.
Food grade ingredient · Acidulant, pH control agent and sequestrant · E338
Food Grade Phosphoric Acid 85%
Food grade phosphoric acid 85% is a concentrated aqueous solution of orthophosphoric acid used in permitted food processes for acidification, pH control, sequestration and related technical functions.
- Identity
- 7664-38-2
- Food designation
- 338
- Formula / form
- H3PO4
- Commercial basis
- Specification-led
Product image · confirm grade and packaging when ordering
Share the application, critical limits, methods, quantity, packing and destination.
GradeFood grade, subject to source qualification
PackingConfirm drum, IBC or other approved packing
Container loadingConfirm packing, gross weight and destination requirements
Batch evidenceCurrent specification and COA required
Product overview
What is Food Grade Phosphoric Acid 85%?
Food grade phosphoric acid 85% is a concentrated aqueous solution of orthophosphoric acid used in permitted food processes for acidification, pH control, sequestration and related technical functions.
Commercial suitability depends on the exact formulation or source, current signed specification, intended function, complete food process and destination-market rules. The agreed specification and batch COA govern supply.
Procurement snapshot
- Product
- Phosphoric Acid 85%
- Category
- Acidulant, pH control agent and sequestrant
- Identity
- 7664-38-2
- Designation
- 338
- Form
- H3PO4
- Packing
- Confirm drum, IBC or other approved packing
Procurement checklist
How to source Phosphoric Acid 85% in bulk
Compare the offered grade, test methods and commercial terms before requesting a sample or placing an order.
Quantity, packing and delivery
State annual demand, packing preference, pallets, destination port, Incoterm and required delivery window.
Phosphoric acid for beverages
Provide beverage type, target pH and titratable acidity, mineral system, process and destination-market requirements.
E338 acidulant and pH control agent
Evaluate flavor impact, buffering demand, corrosion-compatible equipment, dosing accuracy and final-food compliance.
Application screening
Phosphoric Acid 85% food application screening
Select applications permitted in the destination market and evaluate performance in the finished food.
Beverage acidification
Can be evaluated for suitable cola-style, flavored or processed beverages after taste and pH trials.
Food pH control
May provide strong acidification in permitted sauces, processed foods and ingredient systems.
Sequestration
Can support mineral-ion management in compatible formulations and processing steps.
Fermentation processing
May be evaluated for pH adjustment or nutrient-system control where the process and regulations permit.
Commercial specifications
Phosphoric Acid 85% reference specification
These commercial reference specifications are separate from batch COA results and regulatory requirements. Agree analytical methods and acceptance criteria for your order.
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| Test item | Commercial reference |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Colorless, transparent syrupy liquid or very light color |
| Colour | ≤ 20 (method not stated) |
| Assay as H3PO4 | ≥ 85.0% |
| Chloride as Cl- | ≤ 0.0005% |
| Sulfate as SO4 2- | ≤ 0.003% |
| Iron (Fe) | ≤ 0.001% |
| Arsenic (As) | ≤ 0.0001% |
| Heavy metals as Pb | ≤ 0.001% |
| Oxidizable matter (reported as H3PO4) | “No” — analytical criterion unspecified |
| Fluoride as F | “No” — analytical criterion unspecified |
Analytical criteria: The oxidizable-matter and fluoride entries marked “No” do not establish numerical limits, detection limits or an analytical pass criterion. Colour ≤20 also requires a defined test method and scale. Agree these definitions and release criteria in the signed specification and require corresponding batch results.
Technical selection
Questions to resolve before approving Phosphoric Acid 85%
Concentration basis
Confirm 85% w/w assay, density or concentration verification method and acceptable tolerance.
Equipment compatibility
Use corrosion-resistant storage, transfer and dosing systems based on the current SDS and site assessment.
Food impurity limits
Do not substitute an industrial-grade specification; approve the exact food-grade source and current COA.
Application validation
Set target pH and sensory endpoints through bench and plant trials rather than selecting a dosage from a generic webpage.
Qualification support
Product documents and quality requirements
Product documents
Request the current signed specification or TDS, SDS, methods, representative COA and batch COA.
Food-grade selection requirements
Verify applicable food-safety, quality, Kosher, Halal and site documents for the exact grade and source.
Independent reference
Review the FAO/JECFA phosphoric acid specification, then apply destination-market rules to the exact finished food.
Storage and handling
Protect Phosphoric Acid 85% in storage
- EnvironmentStore under the temperature, ventilation and segregation conditions stated in the current SDS.
- PackagingKeep approved containers closed, identified and protected from contamination, moisture and physical damage.
- ControlsUse appropriate PPE, food-ingredient hygiene, lot traceability and stock rotation for the supplied shelf life.
Buyer questions
Phosphoric Acid 85% FAQ
What is Food Grade Phosphoric Acid 85%?
Food grade phosphoric acid 85% is a concentrated aqueous solution of orthophosphoric acid used in permitted food processes for acidification, pH control, sequestration and related technical functions. The current signed specification for the exact source governs supply.
What identity information applies to Phosphoric Acid 85%?
Phosphoric Acid 85% is described here as 7664-38-2, 338 and H3PO4. For blends, each component must be declared and qualified separately.
What specification should buyers request?
Request the current signed specification, agreed analytical methods, SDS, representative COA and a current batch COA. Resolve any missing method, unit or acceptance criterion before approval.
How is Phosphoric Acid 85% packed?
Confirm drum, IBC or other approved packing. Confirm liner, palletization, marks, gross weight and container loading in the quotation.
What should be included in the RFQ?
Provide the application, target performance and limits, quantity, packing, destination market, certificates, Incoterm and requested delivery date.
Related ingredients
Compare adjacent food ingredients
Potassium Sorbate
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Dicalcium Phosphate
Review another food phosphate and its sourcing considerations.
Food Ingredients Directory
Browse the complete ingredient portfolio and available product dossiers.
Specification-led sourcing
Request a Phosphoric Acid 85% quote
Share the application, target grade or formulation, limits, quantity, packing, destination and documents for a relevant bulk-supply proposal.
Product documents
Request documents
Tell us your grade and destination market so we can confirm which documents are available for your order.
An external reference is not a batch certificate or a Bespring product specification.