Dicalcium Diphosphate (E540): What It Is and Is It Safe?
Dicalcium diphosphate is a calcium salt of diphosphoric acid used as a buffer, emulsifier and raising-agent acid. Like other di- and polyphosphates it adds to total dietary phosphate intake, for which EFSA set a group acceptable daily intake of 40 mg phosphorus per kg body weight per day in 2019. EFSA linked high phosphate intake to effects on kidney function and estimated that intake may exceed the ADI in infants, toddlers and children, while epidemiological studies associate high phosphate-additive loads with cardiovascular risk.
- Category
- Acidity Regulator / Emulsifier — Phosphate
- Typically used in
- Processed cheese, baking powder and non-dairy creamers.
- Regulatory status
- Not authorised as a food additive under EU or UK Regulation 1333/2008. Holds Codex INS 540; contributes to total dietary phosphate intake governed by the EFSA group ADI.
- Concerns flagged
-
Cardiovascular concernKidney effects
Scrannr flags Dicalcium Diphosphate automatically when you scan a barcode.
Where this comes from
- EFSA (2019) — Re-evaluation of phosphoric acid phosphates di tri and polyphosphates E338-341 E343 E450-452 as food additives https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/5674
- Deutsches Arzteblatt International (2012) — Phosphate additives in food a health risk https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3278747/
Products containing Dicalcium Diphosphate
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