E341(i) / Antioxidants & acidity regulators
Monocalcium Phosphate
Safety in brief
Safe
Recorded EatMatrix rating, not a new clinical review. The amount, your sensitivities and country rules still matter.
- Watch for
- No allergen or sensitivity is recorded for this ingredient here. Check the whole product label; this is not an allergen-free guarantee.
- Our advice
- Read the whole food label and consider how often you eat the product. A name or E number does not tell you the amount, and an ingredient rating cannot assess the entire food.
What it is
Monocalcium phosphate (MCP) is a mineral-derived compound used mainly as a fast-acting acid in baking powders, reacting quickly with sodium bicarbonate once moistened to release carbon dioxide. It also functions as a dough conditioner, emulsifier, firming agent, and nutrient source of calcium and phosphorus in fortified foods.
Also appears on labels as: Monocalcium phosphate, MCP, Calcium dihydrogen phosphate, Monobasic calcium phosphate, Monocalcium orthophosphate, Calcium phosphate monobasic, Calcium phosphate (monobasic), E341(i), E 341(i), E-341(i), INS 341(i), Acid calcium phosphate.
What is E341(i), and why is monocalcium phosphate in food?
E341 is the calcium-phosphates group; E341(i) identifies monocalcium phosphate, also called monobasic calcium phosphate. FDA lists uses including leavening and pH control: helping dough rise and controlling acidity. Those are functions in food. The ingredient name alone does not show its amount or establish a health benefit for the person eating the product.
The suffix matters. E341(i) is monocalcium phosphate, E341(ii) is dicalcium phosphate and E341(iii) is tricalcium phosphate. A label that only says calcium phosphates or E341 does not identify which form it contains. Match the exact label before choosing a reference; the presence of calcium in a name is not enough to establish a meaningful amount of calcium in your diet or a recommendation to take a supplement.
US 21 CFR 182.1217 covers mono-, di- and tribasic calcium phosphate and recognises them as GRAS when used in accordance with good manufacturing practice. The eCFR text checked was current through October 5, 2026. This is a conditional US status, not permission for any amount or every product worldwide. EFSA’s June 12, 2019 opinion covers phosphates including E341(i); the official reference is linked below. Its identity has been checked, but EatMatrix’s full findings, later-research and current market review remain pending.
- FSA additive names and E numbers (June 25, 2026)
- FDA: monobasic calcium phosphate names and food functions
- US calcium-phosphate condition: 21 CFR 182.1217
- EFSA phosphate opinion, June 12, 2019: exact forms and source scope
See how EatMatrix reads an ingredient list before trying the app. Compare a scan with the physical label.
Identity and food-use sources checked . The E number alone does not tell you the amount in a product. Wider scientific and market checks are described below.
Dietary information
- Vegan
- Yes
- Halal
- Yes
- Gluten-free
- Yes
- Allergens
- None recorded
Recorded ingredient information. Check the product label or certification: sources, other ingredients and cross-contact can vary.
Research & body effects
Selected research on E341(i)
How to read study types- Regulator reviewEFSA re-evaluation of phosphoric acid and phosphates
Set a group safe daily limit of 40 mg phosphorus per kg of body weight. Children’s intake from the whole diet can go over it, and so can intake from food supplements.
Summaries of each source's published abstract or statement, checked . This is a selection of sources, not a complete literature review. Authority assessments apply to the uses and places they cover.
Health notes from our ingredient record
- Generally recognized as safe at typical food levels.
- High total phosphorus intake from all dietary sources can be a concern for people with chronic kidney disease.
Other references from our ingredient record
These links come from the original ingredient record. They are separate from the source reviews above and have not all been checked for the exact ingredient, amount consumed or claim. Dates are shown newest first.
- Re‐evaluation of phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates (E 338–341, E 343, E 450–452) as food additives and the safety of proposed extension of use — EFSA Panel on Food Additives, EFSA Journal (2019). Official EFSA scientific opinion (bibliographic reference, imported 2026-10-13). It covers the additive as a group assessment and is not an individual human study; read the opinion for its findings.
Country rules
Country checks for E341(I)
Permission depends on the market, type of food, amount and conditions. A scientific opinion or an E-number alone does not establish a legal use. These checks are separate from the stored EatMatrix rating.
Compare all eight markets and their sources
| Market | What is checked |
|---|---|
| European Union | No exact code match in the Annex II Part B list (version 2026-08-18, read 2026-10-07). Identity, subform and legal-use review are pending. This does not establish a permission or a ban. |
| Great Britain | No verified exact register record in this review. Identity and current use rules need checking; missing a record does not establish a ban. |
| United States | Complete current-use review pending. Any scoped provision in the label guide above applies only to the stated use. FDA explains the applicable food-additive and GRAS framework. |
| Northern Ireland | Review pending. Check the applicable EU rules and territory arrangements; the GB register alone does not establish this status. FSA guidance is a starting source, not a verified permission for this entry. |
| Canada | Named food-use records located. Health Canada lists the preparations below for specified foods and purposes. This is conditional permission for those uses, not approval of every product or a personal safety verdict. Only the named records and conditions below were located. Exact composition and specifications still need matching. Source tables captured . List publication dates are shown separately. Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) is a condition of use, not an unlimited amount or a recommended intake. Food and Drug Regulations B.16.003 requires the listed source, purpose, amount and other conditions to match. The official consolidation read was current to 21 September 2026; product specifications and applicable later changes still need checking. Read 12 listed food-use conditionsCalcium Phosphate, MonobasicHealth Canada: List of Permitted Firming Agents. List published ; item C.6.
Calcium Phosphate, MonobasicHealth Canada: List of Permitted Acidity Regulators and Acid-Reacting Materials. List published ; item C.12.
Calcium Phosphate, MonobasicHealth Canada: List of Permitted Sequestering Agents. List published ; item C.3.
Calcium Phosphate, MonobasicHealth Canada: List of Permitted Yeast Foods. List published ; item C.6.
EatMatrix reading: match the exact preparation and food first. A manufacturing limit is not an acceptable daily intake (ADI). A label without the amount cannot establish exposure, and an unlisted name here does not establish a ban. |
| Australia | Review pending. Food Standards Code permissions and conditions need an additive-specific check. FSANZ food-additive rules is a starting source, not a verified permission for this entry. |
| New Zealand | Review pending. Food Standards Code permissions and conditions need an additive-specific check. FSANZ food-additive rules is a starting source, not a verified permission for this entry. |
| Japan | Review pending. The relevant list, identity and use standards need an additive-specific check. CAA food-additive lists is a starting source, not a verified permission for this entry. |
Sources & review status
Check what each source covers: an authority’s conclusion, a research finding and a country’s legal permission answer different questions.
What this guide covers
- Selected research
- 1 source summaries, with publication dates and study types. Several publications may describe the same study population.
- Official assessment reference
- EFSA opinion located for E341(I). Identity and code coverage checked; full findings review pending.
- Original ingredient record
- 1 research link; newest recorded date: . Sources added separately to this guide are not included in this count.
This guide brings together our ingredient record and the dated sources shown here. Missing information describes a gap in this guide; it does not mean an ingredient is untested, safe or harmful. This is not a complete review of every study, preparation or current country rule. The amount in a product and how it is used still matter.
How to read the ratings, research and country checksAgency labels recorded by EatMatrix
These are imported database classifications, not verified current statements from each authority. Use the dated official sources below for their actual scope and conclusions.
| Authority | Database label |
|---|---|
| FDA | Safe |
| WHO | Safe |
| EFSA | Safe |
| FSANZ | Safe |
| Japan | Safe |
| UK FSA | Safe |
| Health Canada | Safe |
An official EFSA assessment for E341(I)
An official scientific opinion covering E341(I) exists. A missing research link or rating in our database does not mean this additive has never been assessed. This reference identifies the document; it does not replace a review of its findings, later research or current food-use rules.
EFSA: Re-evaluation of phosphoric acid–phosphates – di-, tri- and polyphosphates (E338–341, E343, E450–452) as food additives and the safety of proposed extension of use
- Published
- Codes covered by this reference
- E338, E339, E340, E341, E341(I), E341(II), E341(III), E343, E450, E450(I), E451, E451(I), E452, E452(I)
- Source type
- EFSA scientific opinion, not an individual human trial
The publisher records that an earlier version adopted on March 27, 2019 was withdrawn before publication. The linked published version was adopted on June 4, 2019. This is a group opinion covering multiple phosphate forms and a proposed extension of use, not a new E341-only clinical trial or permission for every formulation. Later publications and current use conditions still need separate review.
EatMatrix checked this reference’s identity and code coverage on . The full evidence review, an exhaustive check for subsequent publications and corrections, and market-specific permissions remain pending. This does not change the recorded EatMatrix rating above.
Database updated: . What does an E number mean on a food label?
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
What is EatMatrix's recorded rating for E341(I)?
The recorded EatMatrix rating for E341(I) (Monocalcium Phosphate) is “Safe”. It is calculated from labels stored in our ingredient database. These labels are not verified current regulator decisions or country permissions. A database update date is not a scientific review date.
Is E341(I) vegan, halal or gluten-free?
According to our ingredient data for Monocalcium Phosphate — vegan: yes, vegetarian: yes, halal: yes, kosher: yes, gluten-free: yes, dairy-free: yes. Manufacturing sources can vary between products; check the label if it matters to you.
What is E341(I) and why is it used?
Monocalcium phosphate (MCP) is a mineral-derived compound used mainly as a fast-acting acid in baking powders, reacting quickly with sodium bicarbonate once moistened to release carbon dioxide. It also functions as a dough conditioner, emulsifier, firming agent, and nutrient source of calcium and phosphorus in fortified foods.
Does E341(I) contain allergens?
No known allergens are recorded for Monocalcium Phosphate.
Does E341 always mean monocalcium phosphate?
No. E341 is the calcium-phosphates group. E341(i) identifies monocalcium phosphate, E341(ii) dicalcium phosphate and E341(iii) tricalcium phosphate. A group-only label does not tell you the exact form; use the full ingredient name or ask the manufacturer when the distinction matters.
Why is monocalcium phosphate used in baking?
FDA lists monocalcium phosphate as a leavening agent and pH-control agent, among its food functions. In plain language, those uses help dough rise and control acidity. That explains its role in the recipe; it does not establish a health benefit or tell you how much is in a finished food.
Does FDA GRAS status mean any amount of E341 is permitted?
No. 21 CFR 182.1217 covers mono-, di- and tribasic calcium phosphate when used in accordance with good manufacturing practice. This is a conditional US regulatory status, not unrestricted worldwide permission or a personal daily intake. A particular food’s use conditions and compliance need separate checks.
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This page shows information and classifications recorded in our ingredient database. Current scientific and market-specific verification remains pending as described above. It is general information, not medical advice.