Edible Bone Phosphate
INS 542
INS 542, edible bone phosphate, bone phosphate, bone meal phosphate, tribasic calcium phosphate from bone
What it is
A mineral mixture of calcium phosphates obtained by grinding animal bones previously treated with hot water and steam under pressure. JECFA identifies it as INS 542.
Why BOTIA flags it
Edible bone phosphate is obtained from animal bones and provides calcium and phosphorus. If the label says only “bone phosphate”, it does not identify which animal species it came from. Its phosphorus also counts in the same total as other phosphates: JECFA applies a group MTDI of 70 mg of phosphorus per kg body weight per day for phosphorus from all sources, rather than a separate limit for each additive. In 2026 JECFA retained the group approach for phosphates based on nephrocalcinosis and nephropathy observed in rats at high exposures.
BOTIA CAN
- Detect INS 542, edible bone phosphate, bone phosphate and related declared names.
- Explain its animal-bone origin and that its phosphorus contributes to JECFA's group phosphorus intake limit.
BOTIA CANNOT
- Identify the animal species when the label says only “bone phosphate”.
- Determine from the ingredient list how much phosphorus INS 542 contributes or calculate the person's total daily phosphorus intake.