Food grade phosphate · Calcium salt · INS 341(iii)
Tricalcium phosphate is a practically water-insoluble calcium phosphate used in selected food systems for anticaking, buffering, stabilization and mineral-fortification purposes.
Include the food application, target specification, quantity, destination and required documents.
Direct product answer
Food grade tricalcium phosphate (TCP), also called calcium phosphate tribasic or tricalcium orthophosphate, is identified as INS 341(iii). The supplied product sheet lists CAS 7758-87-4 and formula Ca3(PO4)2.
JECFA describes the commercial food additive as a variable mixture of calcium phosphates with at least the equivalent of 90% Ca3(PO4)2 on the ignited basis. Buyers should therefore qualify the offered grade against the intended standard, test method and application rather than relying on the short name alone.
Functional roles
TCP is practically insoluble in water, so dispersion, particle size and the complete formulation can materially affect performance.
JECFA recognizes tricalcium phosphate as an anticaking agent. It may help maintain flow in compatible dry foods and ingredient blends.
JECFA also lists buffering. The supplied application information identifies acidity regulation, stabilization, calcium supplementation and yeast-nutrient use.
Food application screening
Legal permissions and use levels vary by food category and destination market. Validate the exact grade in the finished formulation.
Evaluate anticaking performance, flow, dispersion and sensory effects in seasonings, premixes and other dry systems.
Can provide calcium and phosphorus in suitable foods, supplements and premixes after nutritional and regulatory review.
May support buffering objectives where low water solubility and mineral interactions are compatible with the formulation.
Screen particle size, suspension behavior, texture and storage stability in the complete food matrix.
May be evaluated in dry bakery systems for flow, mineral enrichment and formulation-specific processing functions.
The supplied information identifies yeast-nutrient use; confirm availability, dosage and process performance through trials.
Supplied technical data
The following values reproduce the product sheet supplied for this page. They are not a batch COA or a universal regulatory standard. Confirm the current signed specification and methods before approval.
| Test item | Unit | Specification |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | — | White amorphous, odorless and tasteless fine powder |
| Tricalcium phosphate content | % | ≥90.0 |
| P2O5 content | % | 38.5–48 |
| Identification test | — | Positive color reaction |
| Solubility test | — | Almost insoluble in water; insoluble in ethanol; readily soluble in dilute hydrochloric acid and nitric acid |
| Calcium (Ca) content | % | 34.0–40.0 |
| Heavy metals (as Pb) | % | ≤0.0015 |
| Loss on ignition | % | ≤8.0 |
| Fluoride (F) | % | ≤0.050 |
| Lead (Pb) | mg/kg | ≤4 |
| Cadmium (Cd) | mg/kg | ≤1 |
| Mercury (Hg) | mg/kg | ≤1 |
Specification boundary: Units are retained from the supplied sheet. Confirm whether results are reported on an as-is, dried or ignited basis, and compare every limit with the intended standard, contract and destination-market rules.
Qualification support
Request the current specification/TDS, SDS, test methods and representative or batch certificate of analysis.
Request applicable HACCP, Kosher, Halal and ISO documents and verify product, site, scope, issuer and validity.
Review the FAO/WHO JECFA tricalcium phosphate monograph for identity, assay and functional-use context.
Storage and handling
Buyer questions
TCP is evaluated as an anticaking agent and buffer and, in suitable products, for stabilization, acidity regulation, calcium fortification and yeast-nutrient purposes.
JECFA describes commercial tricalcium phosphate as practically insoluble in water and insoluble in ethanol, while soluble in dilute hydrochloric and nitric acids. Dispersion and particle size can therefore matter in food applications.
No. TCP, DCP and MCP are different calcium phosphate ingredients with different calcium-to-phosphorus ratios, acidity, solubility and functional behavior.
The supplied sheet states at least 90.0% TCP. JECFA similarly specifies not less than the equivalent of 90% Ca3(PO4)2 calculated on the ignited basis; confirm the contractual method.
The reference is 25 kg per bag, 22 metric tons per 20-foot container and a 500 kg minimum order. Confirm current liner, pallet and loading details.
Provide the food application, target standard and specification, particle-size needs, quantity, packing, destination, required documents and delivery date.
Editorial review: Bespring Chemical technical and export team · Last reviewed 2026-07-20
Related calcium phosphates
INS 341(i), an acidic calcium phosphate used in selected leavening and mineral systems.
INS 341(ii), available in anhydrous and dihydrate forms requiring separate qualification.
An acidic leavening phosphate for qualified bakery and prepared-food applications.
Specification-led sourcing
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