Phosphorus-Containing Food Additives in the Food Supply-An Audit of Products on Supermarket Shelves

Abstract

Objectives: Phosphorus (P)-containing food additives pose a risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of P-containing additives in the Finnish food supply across different food categories to evaluate their burden in CKD, reflecting the situation in Europe.

Methods: The dataset of 6,176 products was obtained in June-August 2019 from the foodie.fi website, which contains all foodstuffs sold in the grocery stores of the S Group (46% of the Finnish market share in 2019). The food category, full product name, type of P additive (inorganic, organic, and natural P-containing), and reporting methods (name or E number) of P additives were recorded. Duplicates and products lacking ingredient information were excluded.

Results: The prevalence of P additives was 36% in the final sample (n = 5,149). Among food categories, the prevalence varied from 4% in dairy-based snacks to 67% in meat products. Altogether 17 different P additives were observed. Inorganic P additives were the most common P additive type, present in 20% of foodstuffs. Natural P-containing additives were observed in 19% and organic P additives in 2% of foodstuffs. The most commonly used P additives were lecithin (E 322), pyrophosphate (E 450), and triphosphate (E 451). E number was used as a reporting method in 49% of foodstuffs, and full name in 44% of foodstuffs. Reporting by E number was particularly common in the products containing inorganic P.

Conclusions: The use of P additives is common in the Finnish food supply, indicating the situation in Europe. The high prevalence of inorganic, that is, the most absorbable and potentially most harmful P additives in particular food groups, and their usual reporting only by E numbers can create challenges in CKD dietary counseling.