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Substance group

What counts as Phosphoric acid, phosphates, di-, tri…?

2 markets define Phosphoric acid, phosphates, di-, tri- and polyphosphates (E 338–341, E 343 and E 450–452), and they don't all agree. Read each definition below. You tell us if your product contains it; we never guess from its name.

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Group

Definitions

Market
Definition
Listed members
Source
Annex II Part C: E 338–341, E 343 and E 450 — 452: Phosphoric acid — phosphates — di-, tri- and polyphosphates
Phosphoric acid, Sodium phosphates, Potassium phosphates, Calcium phosphates, Magnesium phosphates, Diphosphates, Polyphosphates
“E 338–341, E 343 and E 450 — 452: Phosphoric acid — phosphates — di-, tri- and polyphosphates”
Annex II, line 1672 (excerpt) · fetched 2026-10-09European Commission / Publications Office (CELLAR): Annex II, line 1672(opens in a new tab)
Annex II Part C (GB): E 338–341, E 343 and E 450 — 452: Phosphoric acid — phosphates — di-, tri- and polyphosphates
Phosphoric acid, Sodium phosphates, Potassium phosphates, Calcium phosphates, Magnesium phosphates, Diphosphates, Polyphosphates
“E 338–341, E 343 and E 450 — 452: Phosphoric acid — phosphates — di-, tri- and polyphosphates”
Annex II, line 730 (excerpt) · fetched 2026-10-10The National Archives (legislation.gov.uk): Annex II, line 730(opens in a new tab)

Rules

Rules that use these definitions

149 rules.

Requirement
Applies when
Effective
Source
LimitGB
Phosphoric acid, phosphates, di-, tri- and polyphosphates (E 338–341, E 343 and E 450–452) as defined in Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales)

Limit 5000 mg/kg (content basis)

Official text, current to 28 Jun 2024. legislation.gov.uk point-in-time version 2024-06-28 of Annex II, which the FSA register cites as the terms of authorisation (Annex II was omitted from the revised text from 2025-04-01).

  • EU food category: Processed potato products [04.2.6]

Depends on: eu food category code

In force since 20 Jan 2010

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 20 Jan 2010

Applies in GB from 20 January 2010 (retained Art. 35); the Annex text is the version in force on 2024-06-28, the last before Annex II was omitted from the revised legislation on 1 April 2025 (S.I. 2025/361); the FSA register keeps these terms of authorisation. Amendment dates of single rows not tracked.

From the official list: E 338-452 · Phosphoric acid — phosphates — di-, tri- and polyphosphates · 5 000 · (1) (4) · including pre-fried frozen en deep-frozen potatoes

Annex rows, Part E, category 04.2.6; row: E 338-452 Phosphoric acid — phosphates — di-, tri- and polyphosphates · fetched 2026-10-10

The National Archives (legislation.gov.uk): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 as retained in GB, Annex II (domestic list) as in force on 2024-06-28(opens in a new tab)
LimitGB
Phosphoric acid, phosphates, di-, tri- and polyphosphates (E 338–341, E 343 and E 450–452) as defined in Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales)

Limit 5000 mg/kg (content basis)

Official text, current to 28 Jun 2024. legislation.gov.uk point-in-time version 2024-06-28 of Annex II, which the FSA register cites as the terms of authorisation (Annex II was omitted from the revised text from 2025-04-01).

  • EU food category: Other confectionery including breath refreshening microsweets [05.2]

Depends on: eu food category code

In force since 20 Jan 2010

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 20 Jan 2010

Applies in GB from 20 January 2010 (retained Art. 35); the Annex text is the version in force on 2024-06-28, the last before Annex II was omitted from the revised legislation on 1 April 2025 (S.I. 2025/361); the FSA register keeps these terms of authorisation. Amendment dates of single rows not tracked.

From the official list: E 338-452 · Phosphoric acid — phosphates — di-, tri- and polyphosphates · 5 000 · (1) (4) · only sugar confectionery, except candied fruit

Annex rows, Part E, category 05.2; row: E 338-452 Phosphoric acid — phosphates — di-, tri- and polyphosphates · fetched 2026-10-10

The National Archives (legislation.gov.uk): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 as retained in GB, Annex II (domestic list) as in force on 2024-06-28(opens in a new tab)
LimitGB
Phosphoric acid, phosphates, di-, tri- and polyphosphates (E 338–341, E 343 and E 450–452) as defined in Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales)

Limit 800 mg/kg (content basis)

Official text, current to 28 Jun 2024. legislation.gov.uk point-in-time version 2024-06-28 of Annex II, which the FSA register cites as the terms of authorisation (Annex II was omitted from the revised text from 2025-04-01).

  • EU food category: Other confectionery including breath refreshening microsweets [05.2]

Depends on: eu food category code

In force since 20 Jan 2010

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 20 Jan 2010

Applies in GB from 20 January 2010 (retained Art. 35); the Annex text is the version in force on 2024-06-28, the last before Annex II was omitted from the revised legislation on 1 April 2025 (S.I. 2025/361); the FSA register keeps these terms of authorisation. Amendment dates of single rows not tracked.

From the official list: E 338-452 · Phosphoric acid — phosphates — di-, tri- and polyphosphates · 800 · (1) (4) · only candied fruit

Annex rows, Part E, category 05.2; row: E 338-452 Phosphoric acid — phosphates — di-, tri- and polyphosphates · fetched 2026-10-10

The National Archives (legislation.gov.uk): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 as retained in GB, Annex II (domestic list) as in force on 2024-06-28(opens in a new tab)
LimitGB
Phosphoric acid, phosphates, di-, tri- and polyphosphates (E 338–341, E 343 and E 450–452) as defined in Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales)

Limit 5000 mg/kg (content basis)

Official text, current to 28 Jun 2024. legislation.gov.uk point-in-time version 2024-06-28 of Annex II, which the FSA register cites as the terms of authorisation (Annex II was omitted from the revised text from 2025-04-01).

  • EU food category: Decorations, coatings and fillings, except fruit based fillings covered by category 4.2.4 [05.4]

Depends on: eu food category code

In force since 20 Jan 2010

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 20 Jan 2010

Applies in GB from 20 January 2010 (retained Art. 35); the Annex text is the version in force on 2024-06-28, the last before Annex II was omitted from the revised legislation on 1 April 2025 (S.I. 2025/361); the FSA register keeps these terms of authorisation. Amendment dates of single rows not tracked.

From the official list: E 338-452 · Phosphoric acid — phosphates — di-, tri- and polyphosphates · 5 000 · (1) (4)

Annex rows, Part E, category 05.4; row: E 338-452 Phosphoric acid — phosphates — di-, tri- and polyphosphates · fetched 2026-10-10

The National Archives (legislation.gov.uk): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 as retained in GB, Annex II (domestic list) as in force on 2024-06-28(opens in a new tab)
LimitGB
Phosphoric acid, phosphates, di-, tri- and polyphosphates (E 338–341, E 343 and E 450–452) as defined in Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales)

Limit 3000 mg/kg (content basis)

Official text, current to 28 Jun 2024. legislation.gov.uk point-in-time version 2024-06-28 of Annex II, which the FSA register cites as the terms of authorisation (Annex II was omitted from the revised text from 2025-04-01).

  • EU food category: Decorations, coatings and fillings, except fruit based fillings covered by category 4.2.4 [05.4]

Depends on: eu food category code

In force since 20 Jan 2010

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 20 Jan 2010

Applies in GB from 20 January 2010 (retained Art. 35); the Annex text is the version in force on 2024-06-28, the last before Annex II was omitted from the revised legislation on 1 April 2025 (S.I. 2025/361); the FSA register keeps these terms of authorisation. Amendment dates of single rows not tracked.

From the official list: E 338-452 · Phosphoric acid — phosphates — di-, tri- and polyphosphates · 3 000 · (1) (4) · only toppings (syrups for pancakes, flavoured syrups for milkshakes and ice cream; similar products)

Annex rows, Part E, category 05.4; row: E 338-452 Phosphoric acid — phosphates — di-, tri- and polyphosphates · fetched 2026-10-10

The National Archives (legislation.gov.uk): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 as retained in GB, Annex II (domestic list) as in force on 2024-06-28(opens in a new tab)

See also

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