Check an ingredient list
Paste the ingredient list from a package (or type it in). We look for phosphate additives such as phosphoric acid, sodium phosphate, calcium phosphate, potassium phosphate, pyrophosphates and polyphosphates, and mark what we find.
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How the check works
- Counts as a phosphate additive: phosphoric acid, anything named “…phosphate” (sodium, potassium, calcium, aluminum or ammonium phosphates, and similar), pyrophosphates, polyphosphates, metaphosphates (for example sodium tripolyphosphate or sodium hexametaphosphate), and leavening phosphates such as monocalcium phosphate or sodium acid pyrophosphate. The short codes STPP, SAPP, SHMP and TSPP and E338–E343, E450–E452 are also recognized.
- Ignored on purpose: phospholipids, phosphatidylcholine and lecithin-related words, phosphatase and phospholipase enzymes, vitamin forms such as riboflavin-5’-phosphate, the word “phosphorus,” and claims such as “no phosphates” or “phosphate free.”
- Iron-fortification phosphate: iron phosphate (ferric orthophosphate, ferric phosphate) is still added phosphate, so it is flagged, but it gets its own label. It is used in small amounts to add iron, and its effect on phosphorus is less certain than other additives. If the list also names another phosphate additive, that additive’s type is shown instead. Educational only: ask your renal dietitian.
- Counted separately: modified starch phosphates (such as distarch phosphate) and ascorbyl phosphate. They are shown as a note, not as an additive.
- Spanish works too: you can paste a list in Spanish (fosfato, ácido fosfórico, pirofosfato, polifosfato, metafosfato, and so on).
- These are the same rules this site uses to flag products in the food database.
Informational only, not medical advice. Ask your kidney care team or renal dietitian what is right for you.