The Role of Tricalcium Phosphate in Food Production

Tricalcium phosphate is well regarded as a nutritional supplement, but its uses extend beyond that specific area. In fact, tricalcium phosphate has several valuable assets in food production, and food ingredient supplier Bell Chem wishes to shine a light on this important ingredient. 

Nutritional value

With the recent push toward functional foods, tricalcium phosphate has become an important additive because of its nutritional value. Packaged foods advertised as being high in calcium often contain tricalcium phosphate as an ingredient to boost that claim. However, supplementation is only one of tricalcium phosphate’s advantages. 

Another recent food trend is toward plant-based food alternatives. Plant-based substitutes mirroring the flavor and appearance of dairy products may pass muster for many consumers, but their nutritional value, especially in calcium, varies greatly. Adding tricalcium phosphate brings the calcium values back to the expected value, giving consumers all the benefits of dairy products with none of the guilt. 

Not only plant-based alternatives use tricalcium phosphate, though. Many foods, such as cereals or breakfast shakes, advertised as high in calcium are able to make this claim because of the addition of tricalcium phosphate. Think about the first foods babies eat - formula and baby foods. Their nutritional value is also heightened by tricalcium phosphate. 

pH stabilizer

While many additives have the ability to raise or lower the pH level in foods to enhance shelf life by prohibiting microbial growth, tricalcium phosphate adds a twist. When tricalcium phosphate becomes an ingredient, the change in pH alters the flavor of foods and beverages, giving a stable flavor throughout the product.

Caking inhibitor

Taking a bite of a packaged food and meeting with a mouth full of a gummy mass of powder is not a pleasant experience, especially considering the following mouthfuls of food likely consist of a much blander product. Tricalcium phosphate has the ability to inhibit the clumping of powders and other foods to ensure every bite tastes close to the same. Dairy products, pudding mixes, seasoning packages, salt, sugar, and other dried products contain tricalcium phosphate to prevent clumping. 

Baked goods powerhouse

Baked goods experience many mechanical changes in their creation. This may alter the texture of the product unless tricalcium phosphate is an ingredient. By leavening baked goods, carbon dioxide is trapped within the pastries, giving them a flakier or spongier structure. Starches and gluten are also enhanced with tricalcium phosphate for a stronger, more stable structure. 

Learn more about ingredients added to foods by clicking Bell Chem’s News button. Bell Chem is a food ingredient supplier based in Longwood, FL (just north of Orlando) with hundreds of products stocked in their 50,000+ square-foot warehouse, including tricalcium phosphate. You can expect the highest quality products, expedited shipping options for maximum efficiency, and unrivaled personalized customer service. Let our knowledgeable and friendly customer service representatives and accounting staff personalize all your needs by either calling 407-339-BELL (2355) or by sending us an online message.