Product Overview
Phosphoric Acid 85% Food Grade is a concentrated orthophosphoric acid (H₃PO₄) used across beverage production, food processing, CIP cleaning, and agricultural nutrient systems. At 85% concentration it is a dense, viscous liquid that delivers maximum active acid per gallon — the standard commercial strength for food-industry applications. It ships as a DOT-regulated Class 8 corrosive and is available to order from 1-quart bottles through 250-gallon totes.
Buyers in beverage bottling, dairy processing, commercial sanitation, and fertigation operations specify Food Grade phosphoric acid to satisfy their internal quality and supplier-approval programs.
Why This Concentration
85% is the highest concentration widely available in a food-grade designation — nearly anhydrous. At this strength the acid is noticeably viscous (density 1.685 at 25 °C) and pours slowly, which reduces splash risk during transfer but requires attention to pump selection and line sizing. A single gallon of 85% solution contains substantially more acid equivalent than a gallon of dilute product, so processors who run through volume can reduce storage footprint and freight cost per unit of active acid.
Unlike dilute solutions, 85% requires careful metering and dilution before use in most processes. If your operation needs a ready-to-use rust remover or metal treatment bath, our Phosphoric Acid 30% is formulated for direct application. Our Phosphoric Acid 75% offers easier flow and lower viscosity for operations where pumpability matters more than concentration. And for analytical or laboratory workflows requiring tighter lot documentation, consider Phosphoric Acid 85% ACS Grade.
Food Grade designation tells a buyer that the material was produced and handled under controls aligned with food-contact use. It is a procurement distinction — beverage bottlers and food-processing QC leads specify it to meet their supplier qualification requirements.
Chemical Profile
Phosphoric Acid 85% Food Grade is a clear, colorless, viscous liquid with no detectable odor. Its molecular formula is H₃PO₄ (molecular weight 97.995, CAS 7664-38-2). At 85% concentration it has a density of 1.685 at 25 °C — roughly 1.7 times heavier than water, which matters for pump sizing and container weight calculations. The acid is fully miscible with water in all proportions. Vapor pressure is low at 0.3 kPa (20 °C), meaning minimal off-gassing under normal storage and handling conditions.
Industrial Applications
Phosphoric acid at this concentration serves several well-established industrial roles:
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Acidulant in Beverages — Phosphoric acid is the standard acidulant in cola-type soft drinks, providing sharp tartness and precise pH control without contributing a fruity or citric flavor note. Beverage processors dose it into syrup blending lines at controlled rates to hit target pH before carbonation.
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pH Control in Food Processing — Used to adjust and stabilize pH in dairy processing, sugar refining, and other food manufacturing lines. Operators value the predictable titration curve and the fact that phosphate residues are themselves recognized nutrients, simplifying waste-stream management.
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CIP and Equipment Cleaning — Effective at dissolving mineral scale — calcium phosphate, milkstone, beerstone — from stainless steel processing equipment. CIP circuits typically alternate phosphoric acid washes with caustic cycles to remove both organic and inorganic deposits.
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Nutrient Source in Agriculture — Serves as a water-soluble phosphorus source in fertigation systems and liquid fertilizer blending. Growers inject it through drip lines to deliver phosphorus directly to the root zone while simultaneously lowering irrigation water pH.
Handling & Storage
This product carries a signal word of Danger (per the product's GHS classification). It causes severe skin burns and eye damage (H314) and may be corrosive to metals (H290) (per the product's GHS classification).
Operators should wear chemical splash goggles, a face shield, acid-resistant gloves (nitrile or butyl rubber), and a chemical-resistant apron. In enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces, respiratory protection may be warranted despite the low vapor pressure. Always add acid to water — never the reverse — when diluting.
Store in HDPE, polypropylene, or glass-lined containers in a cool, dry, ventilated area. Keep away from strong bases (sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide) and reactive metals (aluminum, zinc, mild steel), which react with phosphoric acid and can generate hydrogen gas. At 85% concentration the product is stable and does not decompose under normal storage conditions, but containers should be kept sealed to prevent moisture absorption and concentration drift.
Hazmat & Shipping
Phosphoric Acid 85% Food Grade ships under the following DOT classification:
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UN Number: UN1805 (per 49 CFR 172.101)
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Proper Shipping Name: Phosphoric acid solution (per 49 CFR 172.101)
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Hazard Class: 8 — Corrosive (per 49 CFR 172.101)
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Packing Group: III (per 49 CFR 172.101)
All shipments are prepared with DOT-compliant hazmat documentation and packaging. Larger formats — 55-gallon drums and 250-gallon totes — ship via LTL freight with proper placarding. Quart and gallon containers ship via ground parcel carriers authorized for Class 8 PG III materials.
Documentation
An SDS ships with every order and is available in English, Spanish, French, and Japanese. A lot-specific Certificate of Analysis (COA) is available on request, documenting the specifications of your specific shipment. A Technical Data Sheet (TDS) is also available for buyers who need detailed product-handling and application guidance.
Why Buy from Alliance Chemical
This product is available across 16 packaging options — from single quarts through 250-gallon totes — so you can match your order to actual consumption without overbuying or understocking. Alliance Chemical has operated as a hazmat chemical distributor since 1998, shipping DOT-regulated materials daily from our warehouse in Taylor, Texas. Shipping and handling guidance on this page has been reviewed by Andre Taki, DOT Hazmat Specialist.
