Phosphoric Acid 85% Food Grade

Product Overview

Phosphoric Acid (H₃PO₄) is a colorless, odorless, and viscous liquid that serves as a versatile acidulant and pH adjuster in various food applications. This food-grade phosphoric acid is characterized by its high purity and is commonly used in the food and beverage industry for flavor enhancement and acidity regulation. The 85% solution is optimized for precise dosing in beverage formulations, dairy processing, and formulated foods, delivering consistent acidity and buffering capacity while maintaining product stability. In compliance with USP-NF monographs, this product meets stringent quality standards and offers low impurity levels essential for clean-label and regulatory requirements. The material is compatible with a wide range of packaging options, including HDPE and glass, and is designed for industrial handling in accordance with established safety protocols.

In addition to its role as an acidulant, phosphoric acid serves as a mineral source in certain agricultural contexts and plays a key part in cleaning formulations for equipment and process lines. With controlled viscosity, refractive index, and precise assay specifications, it enables reliable formulation development and validated QC testing. The product's high purity and trace metal controls support safe, compliant use across food processing, flavor cuing, and pH adjustment applications, aligning with industry standards and quality management expectations.

Key Properties

• Appearance: Colorless to slightly yellow viscous liquid
• Chemical Formula: H₃PO₄
• Molecular Weight: 97.99 g/mol
• Boiling Point: 158 °C
• Specific Gravity (20 °C): 1.66 – 1.70 (typical 1.68)
• Residue After Ignition: ≤ 0.1% (typical 0.05%)
• Chloride (Cl): ≤ 10 ppm (typical 5 ppm)
• Nitrate (NO₃⁻): ≤ 20 ppm (typical 10 ppm)
• Ammonium (NH₄⁺): ≤ 2 ppm (typical 1 ppm)
• Sulfate (SO₄²⁻): ≤ 100 ppm (typical 50 ppm)
• Phosphate (PO₄³⁻): ≤ 2000 ppm (typical 1200 ppm)
• Arsenic (As): ≤ 0.01 ppm (typical 0.005 ppm)
• Heavy Metals (as Pb): ≤ 0.2 ppm (typical 0.05 ppm)
• Iron (Fe): ≤ 0.2 ppm (typical 0.05 ppm)
• Copper (Cu): ≤ 0.2 ppm (typical 0.05 ppm)
• Manganese (Mn): ≤ 0.1 ppm (typical 0.02 ppm)
• Nickel (Ni): ≤ 0.1 ppm (typical 0.02 ppm)
• Lead (Pb): ≤ 0.2 ppm (typical 0.05 ppm)
• Zinc (Zn): ≤ 0.5 ppm (typical 0.1 ppm)
• Aluminum (Al): ≤ 0.2 ppm (typical 0.05 ppm)
• Chromium (Cr): ≤ 0.1 ppm (typical 0.02 ppm)
• Cobalt (Co): ≤ 0.05 ppm (typical 0.01 ppm)
• Calcium (Ca): ≤ 1000 ppm (typical 300 ppm)
• Magnesium (Mg): ≤ 200 ppm (typical 50 ppm)
• Potassium (K): ≤ 150 ppm (typical 40 ppm)
• Sodium (Na): ≤ 200 ppm (typical 60 ppm)
• CAS: 7664-38-2
• Refractive Index (20 °C): 1.334
• Viscosity (25 °C): 1.5 cP
• Shelf Life: 24 months from manufacture date when stored properly
• Standards: USP-NF Monograph compliant

Common Applications

• Application Category: Acidulant in Beverages – Used to adjust acidity and enhance tartness and flavor balance in soft drinks, fruit beverages, and ready-to-drink products with tight control of pH and microbial stability.
• pH Adjuster – Serves as a robust pH regulator in foods and beverages to maintain product stability, texture, and safety across processing lines.
• Flavor Enhancer – Provides precise acidity modulation to support targeted flavor profiles and overall sensory experience in formulated foods.
• Cleaning Agent – Integrated into cleaning formulations for food processing equipment to remove mineral deposits and improve sanitation while meeting food-contact safety requirements.
• Nutrient Source (Agriculture) – Acts as a phosphorus source in fertilizer formulations, supporting plant nutrition and crop yield in controlled agronomic programs.

Safety Precautions

Handling phosphoric acid 85% food grade requires appropriate containment and PPE due to its corrosive nature. Store in cool, dry areas away from direct sunlight using compatible containers (HDPE or glass). Ensure ventilation to prevent vapor buildup and protect skin and eyes with chemical-resistant gloves, goggles, and protective clothing during handling and transfer operations. Follow standard operating procedures for acid handling and ensure spill kits and neutralization agents are readily accessible. Maintain segregation from bases and reactive metals to prevent exothermic reactions.

Additional safety considerations include strict adherence to exposure controls and emergency procedures. The SDS lists hazard classifications: Skin Corr. 1B and Eye Dam. 1 with hazard statements indicating severe skin burns and eye damage. In case of contact, rinse eyes or skin promptly with copious water, seek medical attention for any persistent irritation, and follow established first aid protocols for ingestion or inhalation. In the event of a spill, evacuate personnel, contain the spill, and neutralize with approved absorbent materials under guidance from safety personnel. Refer to UN 1805 transport guidelines for packaging and shipment in accordance with regulatory requirements.

Benefits

✔ High Purity, Low Impurity Profile – Meets USP-NF monograph with minimal heavy metals and trace contaminants for food-grade applications.
✔ Precise Acidity Control – 85% solution provides reliable dosing and consistent pH adjustment across process streams.
✔ Regulatory Compliance – Suitable for food and beverage use with documented QC parameters and stability under storage guidelines.