Coca-Cola Original Taste
Coca Cola Life, Coca-Cola
Vegan, passesGluten-Free, passesKeto, fails
E338 — Phosphoric acid
Why it’s used
Phosphoric acid is an inorganic acidity regulator that adds a sharp, tart taste and controls pH; it is best known as the acidulant in cola-type soft drinks and is also used as a sequestrant and antioxidant synergist in some processed foods.
Other names
Orthophosphoric acid, Phosphoric(V) acid
Diet flags
Vegan, passesVegetarian, passes
Regulatory status
USA — Allowed
GRAS as a direct food substance under 21 CFR 182.1073, usable at good manufacturing practice levels; cola-type beverages using it must also meet the compositional standard of identity in 21 CFR 165.110. Source (2026-07-23)
EU — Restricted
Authorised under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II, as part of the phosphates group (E 338–341, E 343, E 450–452), with defined maximum permitted levels by food category (e.g. up to 700 mg/L in cola-type drinks) rather than an open quantum satis allowance. Source (2026-07-23)
Regulatory status by region
FDA's GRAS listing sets no specific numeric usage cap for phosphoric acid beyond good manufacturing practice, so there is no ppm-style ceiling comparable to the EU's per-category maximum levels for most uses.
EFSA's 2019 re-evaluation of the phosphates group set a group Acceptable Daily Intake of 40 mg/kg body weight/day (as phosphorus) and the EU applies explicit maximum permitted levels per food category under Annex II. The FDA, by contrast, allows phosphoric acid at GMP levels without an equivalent category-by-category numeric cap.
Found in these products
7 products in our database contain E338.
Coke Zero
Coca-Cola
Vegan, unclearGluten-Free, passesKeto, passes
Coca-Cola Zero Sugar
Coca-Cola
Vegan, unclearGluten-Free, passesKeto, passes
Coke 20Z
Coke
Vegan, unclearGluten-Free, passesKeto, fails
Strawberry & Cream
Chupa Chups
Vegan, failsGluten-Free, passesKeto, fails
Dr Pepper
Dr Pepper
Vegan, unclearGluten-Free, passesKeto, fails
Diet Coke
Coke
Vegan, unclearGluten-Free, passesKeto, passes