Phosphoric Acid in Dog Food - Dog Nutrition DB

Phosphoric acid in dog food is approved as a food additive in the United States and the European Union. It is used as a preservative to extend shelf life.

Contents

What is Phosphoric Acid?

Phosphoric acid has the chemical formula H₃PO₄.

Another name for this substance is orthophosphoric acid used to distinguish this specific substance from similarly named ones.

This chemical is produced industrially from phosphate ores. As a raw material, it is a colorless inorganic compound.

Phosphoric acid is one of the major industrial chemicals with many applications used in fertilizers, cosmetics, or as a sanitizing agent in the dairy or brewing industries.

Phosphoric Acid as a Food Additive

Food additives are not ingredients per se but are used in the making of dog food to perform a particular function.

Officially, phosphoric acid is used as a chemical preservative that prevents the growth of mold and bacteria and extends the shelf-life of food or its ingredients.

In addition, it can also be used as a flavoring agent, emulsifier, or discoloration inhibitor.

In human foods, this mineral acid can also be used as an acidifier and gives many sodas their sour taste.

In addition, phosphoric acid may also happen to add some phosphorus to the diet. And phosphorus is an essential mineral for all living organisms occurring naturally in foods like milk, meat, or soy.

Orthophosphoric acid is safe for all animal species when used as a preservative, provided that the optimal ratio of Ca:P is maintained. It is considered to be a source of available phosphorus in the diet.
European Food Safety Authority^[2]

Most dog foods for adult dogs contain only about 1-4 grams of phosphorus per 1000 kcal.

So the maximum level of dietary phosphorus automatically limits the amount of phosphoric acid that can be safely added to a recipe.

Phosphoric acid forms mineral phosphates and is related to food additives like sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, disodium phosphate, or calcium phosphate.

These mineral salts of phosphoric acid are used as mineral supplements or as food additives (acidity regulators, emulsifiers, anti-caking agents, sequestrants, etc.).

Is Phosphoric Acid in Dog Food Safe?

If you look at various data sheets for phosphoric acid, it is listed as a corrosive chemical that can cause irritation to the eyes or skin. Therefore, some consumers believe that it is bad for their pets’ health.

However, such warnings are intended for safety in the workplace and for people who handle the raw material. Of course, they do not apply to the small quantities contained in food!

Phosphoric acid is approved as a food additive in dog food in the United States and in the European Union^[1,4].

In the United States, phosphoric acid is used as a general-purpose additive and is considered generally recognized as safe (GRAS)^[4].

To qualify for this status, a substance must have a history of being used in food in the past and its safety must have been demonstrated based on extensive scientific evidence.

Phosphoric acid is also listed in the European Union Register of Feed Additives and is approved for all animal species^[5].

Before a feed additive is approved for use in the EU, it undergoes a scientific evaluation by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

Just some people who consume lots of phosphoric acid-containing foods or soft drinks every day may sooner or later suffer from tooth erosion, reduced bone density, or kidney stones.

In 2019, the EFSA re-evaluated the safety of phosphoric acids and phosphates as food additives for human consumption and concluded that it`s safe when used properly^[3].

All in all, phosphoric acid seems to be accepted as a safe additive.

Still, the main benefit of phosphoric acid for dogs is to keep their food fresh, but it is not necessary for their diet.

Because phosphoric acid can also add phosphorus to the diet, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recommends using only small amounts that do not really affect total phosphorus intake^[2].

Consuming too much phosphorus is not recommended, but the small amounts of phosphoric acid in dog food are considered safe.

However, a high phosphorus intake from phosphate additives is potentially harmful, especially for dogs with kidney disease!

For dogs that require a low-phosphate diet, it’s probably best to avoid a high intake of products containing phosphoric acid, sodium phosphates, or potassium phosphates^[6].

What is Phosphoric Acid?

Phosphoric Acid as a Food Additive

Is Phosphoric Acid in Dog Food Safe?

Further Reading