Table 2.

MPLs of phosphates (E 338–341, E 343, E 450–452) in foods according to the Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008

Food category code	Food category name	Restrictions/exceptions	E‐number	Name	MPL (mg/L or mg/kg as appropriate)	Footnotes (as in Reg (EC) No 1333/2008
0	Food additives permitted in all categories of foods	Only foods in dried powdered form (i.e. foods dried during the production process, and mixtures thereof), excluding foods listed in table 1 of Part A of this Annex	E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	10,000	1 , 4 , 57
01.1	Unflavoured pasteurised and sterilised (including UHT) milk	Only sterilised and UHT milk	E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	1,000	1 , 4
01.4	Flavoured fermented milk products including heat‐treated products		E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	3,000	1 , 4
01.5	Dehydrated milk as defined by Directive 2001/114/EC	Only partly dehydrated milk with less than 28% solids	E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	1,000	1 , 4
01.5	Dehydrated milk as defined by Directive 2001/114/EC	Only partly dehydrated milk with more than 28% solids	E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	1,500	1 , 4
01.5	Dehydrated milk as defined by Directive 2001/114/EC	Only dried milk and dried skimmed milk	E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	2,500	1 , 4
01.6.3	Other creams	Only sterilised, pasteurised, UHT cream and whipped cream	E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	5,000	1 , 4
01.7.1	Unripened cheese excluding products falling in category 16	Except mozzarella	E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	2,000	1 , 4
01.7.5	Processed cheese		E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	20,000	1 , 4
01.7.6	Cheese products (excluding products falling in category 16)	Only unripened products	E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	2,000	1 , 4
01.8	Dairy analogues, including beverage whiteners	Only whipped cream analogues	E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	5,000	1 , 4
01.8	Dairy analogues, including beverage whiteners	Only processed cheese analogues	E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	20,000	1 , 4
01.8	Dairy analogues, including beverage whiteners	Only beverage whiteners	E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	30,000	1 , 4
01.8	Dairy analogues, including beverage whiteners	Only beverage whiteners for vending machines	E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	50,000	1 , 4
02.2.1	Butter and concentrated butter and butter oil and anhydrous milkfat	Only soured cream butter	E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	2,000	1 , 4
02.2.2	Other fat and oil emulsions including spreads as defined by Council Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 and liquid emulsions	Only spreadable fats	E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	5,000	1 , 4
02.3	Vegetable oil pan spray	Only water‐based emulsion sprays for coating baking tins	E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	30,000	1 , 4
03	Edible ices		E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	1,000	1 , 4
04.2.4.1	Fruit and vegetable preparations excluding compote	Only fruit preparations	E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	800	1 , 4
04.2.4.1	Fruit and vegetable preparations excluding compote	Only seaweed based fish roe analogues	E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	1,000	1 , 4
04.2.4.1	Fruit and vegetable preparations excluding compote	Only glazings for vegetable products	E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	4,000	1 , 4
04.2.5.4	Nut butters and nut spreads	Only spreadable fats excluding butter	E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	5,000	1 , 4
04.2.6	Processed potato products	Including prefried frozen en deep frozen potatoes	E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	5,000	1 , 4
05.2	Other confectionery including breath refreshening microsweets	Only candied fruit	E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	800	1 , 4
05.2	Other confectionery including breath refreshening microsweets	Only sugar confectionery, except candied fruit	E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	5,000	1 , 4
05.3	Chewing gum		E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	Quantum satis	1 , 4
05.4	Decorations, coatings and fillings, except fruit based fillings covered by category 4.2.4	Only toppings (syrups for pancakes, flavoured syrups for milkshakes and ice cream; similar products)	E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	3,000	1 , 4
05.4	Decorations, coatings and fillings, except fruit based fillings covered by category 4.2.4		E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	5,000	1 , 4
06.2.1	Flours		E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	2,500	1 , 4
06.2.1	Flours	Only self‐raising flour	E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	20,000	1 , 4
06.2.1	Flours	Only self‐raising flour	E 450(ix)	Magnesium dihydrogen diphosphate	15,000	4 , 81
06.3	Breakfast cereals		E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	5,000	1 , 4
06.5	Noodles		E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	2,000	1 , 4
06.5	Noodles		E 450(ix)	Magnesium dihydrogen diphosphate	2,000	4 , 81
06.6	Batters		E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	12,000	1 , 4
06.6	Batters		E 450(ix)	Magnesium dihydrogen diphosphate	12,000	4 , 81
07.1	Bread and rolls	Only soda bread	E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	20,000	1 , 4
07.1	Bread and rolls	Only refrigerated, prepacked yeast based doughs used as basis for pizzas, quiches, tarts and similar products	E 450	Diphosphates	12,000	4
07.1	Bread and rolls	Only pizza dough (frozen or chilled) and ‘tortilla’	E 450(ix)	Magnesium dihydrogen diphosphate	15,000	4 , 81
07.2	Fine bakery wares		E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	20,000	1 , 4
07.2	Fine bakery wares		E 450(ix)	Magnesium dihydrogen diphosphate	15,000	4 , 81
08.2	Meat preparations as defined by Regulation (EC) No 853/2004	Only breakfast sausages: in this product, the meat is minced in such a way so that the muscle and fat tissue are completely dispersed, so that fibre makes an emulsion with the fat, giving the product its typical appearance; Finnish grey‐salted Christmas ham, burger meat with a minimum vegetable and/or cereal content of 4% mixed within the meat, Kasseler, Bräte, Surfleisch, toorvorst, šašlõkk, ahjupraad, Bílá klobása, Vinná klobása, Sváteční klobása, Syrová klobása and frozen vertical rotating meat spits made of sheep, lamb, veal and/or beef treated with liquid seasoning or from poultry meat treated with or without liquid seasoning used alone and/or combined as well as sliced and/or minced and designed to be roasted by a food business operator and then consumed by the final consumer	E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	5,000	1 , 4
08.3.1	Non‐heat‐treated meat products		E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	5,000	1 , 4
08.3.2	Heat–treated meat products	Except foie gras, foie gras entier, blocs de foie gras, Libamáj, libamáj egészben, libamáj tömbben	E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	5,000	1 , 4
08.3.3	Casings and coatings and decorations for meat	Only glazings for meat	E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	4,000	1 , 4
09.1.1	Unprocessed fish	Only frozen and deep‐frozen fish fillets	E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	5,000	1 , 4
09.1.2	Unprocessed molluscs and crustaceans	Only frozen and deep‐frozen molluscs and crustaceans	E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	5,000	1 , 4
09.2	Processed fish and fishery products including molluscs and crustaceans	Only canned crustaceans products; surimi and similar products	E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	1,000	1 , 4
09.2	Processed fish and fishery products including molluscs and crustaceans	Only fish and crustacean paste and in processed frozen and deep‐frozen molluscs and crustaceans	E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	5,000	1 , 4
09.2	Processed fish and fishery products including molluscs and crustaceans	Only salted fish of the Gadidae family that have been pre‐salted by injecting and/or brine salting with an at least 18% salt solution and often followed by dry salting	E 450	Diphosphates	5,000	1 , 79
09.2	Processed fish and fishery products including molluscs and crustaceans	Only salted fish of the Gadidae family that have been pre‐salted by injecting and/or brine salting with an at least 18% salt solution and often followed by dry salting	E 451	Triphosphates	5,000	1 , 79
09.2	Processed fish and fishery products including molluscs and crustaceans	Only salted fish of the Gadidae family that have been pre‐salted by injecting and/or brine salting with an at least 18% salt solution and often followed by dry salting	E 452	Polyphosphates	5,000	1 , 79
10.2	Processed eggs and egg products	Only liquid egg (white, yolk or whole egg)	E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	10,000	1 , 4
11.1	Sugars and syrups as defined by Directive 2001/111/EC	Only dried powdered foods	E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	10,000	4
11.4.2	Table‐top sweeteners in powder form		E 341	Calcium phosphates	Quantum satis
12.1.1	Salt		E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	10,000	1 , 4
12.1.2	Salt substitutes		E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	10,000	1 , 4
12.5	Soups and broths		E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	3,000	1 , 4
12.6	Sauces		E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	5,000	1 , 4
12.9	Protein products, excluding products covered in category 1.8	Only vegetable protein drinks	E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	20,000	1 , 4
13.1.1	Infant formulae as defined by Directive 2006/141/EC		E 338	Phosphoric acid	1,000*	4 , 44
13.1.1	Infant formulae as defined by Directive 2006/141/EC		E 339	Sodium phosphates	1,000*	4 , 15
13.1.1	Infant formulae as defined by Directive 2006/141/EC		E 340	Potassium phosphates		4 , 15
13.1.2	Follow‐on formulae as defined by Directive 2006/141/EC		E 338	Phosphoric acid		4 , 44
13.1.2	Follow‐on formulae as defined by Directive 2006/141/EC		E 339	Sodium phosphates	1,000*	4 , 15
13.1.2	Follow‐on formulae as defined by Directive 2006/141/EC		E 340	Potassium phosphates		4 , 15
13.1.3	Processed cereal‐based foods and baby foods for infants and young children as defined by Directive 2006/125/EC	Only processed cereal based foods and baby foods, only for pH adjustment	E 338	Phosphoric acid	1,000*	4
13.1.3	Processed cereal‐based foods and baby foods for infants and young children as defined by Directive 2006/125/EC	Only cereals	E 339	Sodium phosphates	1,000*	4 , 20
13.1.3	Processed cereal‐based foods and baby foods for infants and young children as defined by Directive 2006/125/EC	Only cereals	E 340	Potassium phosphates	1,000*	4 , 20
13.1.3	Processed cereal‐based foods and baby foods for infants and young children as defined by Directive 2006/125/EC	Only cereals	E 341	Calcium phosphates	1,000*	4 , 20
13.1.3	Processed cereal‐based foods and baby foods for infants and young children as defined by Directive 2006/125/EC	Only in fruit‐based desserts	E 341	Calcium phosphates	1,000*	4
13.1.3	Processed cereal‐based foods and baby foods for infants and young children as defined by Directive 2006/125/EC	Only biscuits and rusks	E 450	Diphosphates	5,000*	4 , 15
13.1.4	Other foods for young children		E 338	Phosphoric acid		1 , 4 , 44
13.1.4	Other foods for young children		E 339	Sodium phosphates	1,000*	1 , 4 , 15
13.1.4	Other foods for young children		E 340	Potassium phosphates	1,000*	1 , 4 , 15
13.1.5.1	Dietary foods for infants for special medical purposes and special formulae for infants	Only for pH adjustment	E 338	Phosphoric acid	1,000*	1 , 4
13.1.5.1	Dietary foods for infants for special medical purposes and special formulae for infants		E 339	Sodium phosphates	1,000*	1 , 4 , 20
13.1.5.1	Dietary foods for infants for special medical purposes and special formulae for infants		E 340	Potassium phosphates	1,000*	1 , 4 , 20
13.1.5.1	Dietary foods for infants for special medical purposes and special formulae for infants		E 341	Calcium phosphates	1,000*	1 , 4 , 20
13.1.5.2	Dietary foods for babies and young children for special medical purposed as defined in Directive 1999/21/EC		E 338	Phosphoric acid	1,000*	4 , 44
13.1.5.2	Dietary foods for babies and young children for special medical purposed as defined in Directive 1999/21/EC		E 339	Sodium phosphates	1,000*	4 , 15
13.1.5.2	Dietary foods for babies and young children for special medical purposed as defined in Directive 1999/21/EC		E 340	Potassium phosphates	1,000*	4 , 15
13.1.5.2	Dietary foods for babies and young children for special medical purposed as defined in Directive 1999/21/EC		E 341	Calcium phosphates	1,000*	4 , 20
13.1.5.2	Dietary foods for babies and young children for special medical purposed as defined in Directive 1999/21/EC	Only biscuits and rusks	E 450	Diphosphates	5,000*	4 , 15
13.2	Dietary foods for special medical purposes defined in Directive 1999/21/EC (excluding products from food category 13.1.5)		E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	5,000	1 , 4
13.3	Dietary foods for weight control diets intended to replace total daily food intake or an individual meal (the whole or part of the total daily diet)		E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	5,000	1 , 4
13.4	Foods suitable for people intolerant to gluten as defined by Regulation (EC) No 41/2009		E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	5,000	1 , 4
14.1.1	Water, including natural mineral water as defined in Directive 2009/54/EC and spring water and all other bottled or packed waters	Only prepared table waters	E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	500	1 , 4
14.1.4	Flavoured drinks		E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	700	1 , 4
14.1.4	Flavoured drinks	Only sport drinks	E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	500	1 , 4
14.1.4	Flavoured drinks	Only chocolate and malt dairy‐based drinks	E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	2,000	1 , 4
14.1.4	Flavoured drinks	Only whey protein containing sport drinks	E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	4,000	1 , 4
14.1.4	Flavoured drinks	Only vegetable protein drinks	E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	20,000	1 , 4
14.1.5.2	Other	Only coffee‐based drinks for vending machines; Instant tea and instant herbal infusions	E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	2,000	1 , 4
14.2.3	Cider and perry		E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	1,000	1 , 4
14.2.4	Fruit wine and made wine		E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	1,000	1 , 4
14.2.5	Mead		E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	1,000	1 , 4
14.2.6	Spirit drinks as defined in Regulation (EC) No 110/2008	Except: whisky, whiskey	E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	1,000	1 , 4
14.2.7.1	Aromatised wines		E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	1,000	1 , 4
14.2.7.2	Aromatised wine‐based drinks		E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	1,000	1 , 4
14.2.7.3	Aromatised wine‐product cocktails		E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	1,000	1 , 4
14.2.8	Other alcoholic drinks including mixtures of alcoholic drinks with non‐alcoholic drinks and spirits with less than 15% of alcohol		E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	1,000	1 , 4
15.1	Potato‐, cereal‐, flour‐ or starch‐based snacks		E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	5,000	1 , 4
15.2	Processed nuts		E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	5,000	1 , 4
16	Desserts excluding products covered in category 1, 3 and 4		E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	3,000	1 , 4
16	Desserts excluding products covered in category 1, 3 and 4	Only dry powdered dessert mixes	E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	7,000	1 , 4
17.1	Food supplements supplied in a solid form, excluding food supplements for infants and young children		E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	Quantum satis
17.2	Food supplements supplied in a liquid form, excluding food supplements for infants and young children		E 338–452	Phosphoric acid–phosphates – di‐, tri‐ and polyphosphates	Quantum satis

MPL: maximum permitted level; UHT: Ultra High Temperature.

¹The additives may be added individually or in combination.

⁴The maximum level is expressed as P₂O₅.

¹⁵E 339 and E 340 are authorised individually or in combination and in conformity with the limits set in Directives 2006/141/EC, 2006/125/EC, 1999/21/EC.

²⁰E 339, E 340 and E 341 are authorised individually or in combination.

⁴⁴In conformity with the limits set in Directives 2006/141/EC, 2006/125/EC, 1999/21/EC.

⁵⁷The maximum level shall apply unless a different maximum level is specified in points 01 to 18 of this Annex in relation to individual foods or categories of foods.

⁷⁹The maximum level applies to the sum of E 450, E 451 and E 452 used individually or in a combination.

⁸¹The total amount of phosphates shall not exceed the maximum level for E 338–452.

^*The maximum levels of use indicated refer to foods ready for consumption prepared following manufacturer's’ instructions, for all subcategories under 13.1 Foods for infants and young children.