Author: Ivan Red Jr.
Time for reading: ~1
minutes
Last Updated:
January 27, 2026
Characteristics: Bone phosphate is a white-creamy powder without pronounced taste and odor. Food additive E 542 does not dissolve in water and ethanol. In nature it is found in the bones of animals. Ve
Bone phosphate is a white-creamy powder without pronounced taste and odor. Food additive E 542 does not dissolve in water and ethanol. In nature it is found in the bones of animals. The substance is obtained by grinding and treating bones with steam, hot water and under high pressure. In addition to bones, apatite, phosphorite and hydroxyapatite can be found in minerals. Bone phosphate refers to inorganic substances, it is a compound of phosphoric acid and metallic calcium salts.
In the food industry, bone phosphate is used as a stabilizer of the consistency of UHT milk, condensed milk. It is also part of alcoholic beverages, ice cream, minced fish, unripe cheeses, dairy products and more. E 542 is also used in the preparation of pasta, teas, milk powder, flour, desserts, concentrates for broths and soups, glazes for meat and vegetable products, creams, margarines. Bone phosphate is often used in the process of processing potatoes, including their freezing, drying or cooling. The additive is also used in confectionery, liquid dough. It is often found in dry appetizers, sauces, glazed fruits, special products and drinks in sports nutrition. The substance is also used in baking soda, is part of processed cheeses,
Bone phosphate is a component of pet food, also phosphate fertilizers used in agriculture.
Toothpastes and cosmetics are made with the help of E 542.
The maximum dose of bone phosphate should not exceed 70 mg per kilogram of body weight. In most products, the quantity must be calculated within 1 gram per liter or kilogram of finished product.
The food supplement E 542 is not harmful, its effect on the human body has not been fully studied. It is believed that regular intake of synthetic bone phosphate can be a cause of "leaching" of calcium from the body, which in turn leads to dental disease. hair loss and deterioration of nails and skin.