Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of orthophosphoric acid for all animal species

Orthophosphoric acid is commercially available as an aqueous solution at various concentrations, typically in the range 67.0–85.7 %. This assessment is based on a source of orthophosphoric acid that meets the purity criteria established for a food additive. 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. Its contribution to the phosphorus supply of animals must be considered when formulating diets or including it in water for drinking. As the maximum tolerable content of dietary phosphorus for all animal species is well known, setting a maximum content for the additive is not considered necessary. The supplementation of phosphorus from the additive to feedingstuffs will not raise safety concerns for the consumer. Orthophosphoric acid is a bulk industrial chemical and the hazards for those handling the substance are well known and documented. It is corrosive to the skin and eyes and should be considered as hazardous to the respiratory tract. As phosphorus from the acid will not add to the total dietary phosphorus content, the use of orthophosphoric acid in animal nutrition is not expected to pose an additional risk for the environment. As orthophosphoric acid is used in food as a preservative, and its function in feed is essentially the same as that in food, no further demonstration of efficacy is necessary. It is expected that orthophosphoric acid would have the potential to contribute to the preservation of liquid feeds and sustain the quality of water for drinking. The FEEDAP Panel has reservations about the effectiveness of any preservative, including orthophosphoric acid, in complete feedingstuffs with a typical moisture content of ≤ 12 %.