E341

E341 is the European food additive designation for a group of phosphate salts used in food processing. It does not refer to a single chemical but to several phosphate-based compounds that are approved for use as additives in the European Union. In some regulatory lists the group is further subdivided into designations such as E341(i), E341(ii), and E341(iii), corresponding to different phosphate salts. Commonly encountered salts within the group include calcium phosphates and sodium phosphates.

Phosphates under E341 serve multiple technical roles in foods. They can act as leavening agents in baked goods, buffering and regulating acidity, stabilizing emulsions, and improving texture. They are also used as anti-caking agents in powdered products, as stabilizers in dairy products, and as processing aids in meats and processed foods. The specific salt used often determines its function and recommended usage level.

Regulatory status and safety assessment in the EU place E341 salts among permitted food additives under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008. EFSA evaluations generally consider these phosphate salts safe for the general population when used within approved limits, though they contribute dietary phosphorus. Consequently, individuals with kidney disease or those on restricted-phosphate diets may need to monitor their intake. As with other minerals, total phosphorus consumption from all sources is a consideration for long-term health.

In everyday labeling, E341 additives appear as phosphate salts listed among ingredients, sometimes specified by the particular salt name or by the E341 designation.