Sodium aluminum phosphate

What this is

Regulators distinguish acidic E 541 / INS 541(i), mainly a raising acid for bakery systems, and basic INS 541(ii), associated with emulsifying functions. U.S. FDA lists the acidic or basic substance and treats sodium aluminum phosphate as GRAS when used under good manufacturing practice. The main safety context is total dietary aluminium rather than a sharp acute-toxicity signal. JECFA set a provisional tolerable weekly intake for aluminium of 2 mg/kg body weight per week and noted that high-intake children can exceed it when aluminium-containing additives are regularly consumed. EFSA found E 541 to be of no safety concern at EU-authorized uses, but those uses are narrow. Canada moved retained uses to numerical aluminium-based limits in 2025, and New Zealand Food Safety requested an FSANZ review after elevated aluminium findings. Overall, SALP is allowed but increasingly controlled in higher-exposure food categories.

Safety Review

The critical endpoints experts review in safety assessments. This is not a prediction of harm.

SALP itself is not framed as an acute toxin at ordinary use levels, but JECFA set aluminium intake guidance and noted high-intake children can exceed it when aluminium-containing additives are regularly consumed. EFSA found current EU-authorized E541 uses were not a safety concern, but Health Canada and New Zealand actions show regulators are controlling higher-exposure categories and reviewing elevated aluminium findings.