Tricalcium Phosphate (TCP, E341iii) · Anti-Caking Agent, Carrier & Calcium Fortification Ingredient
Tricalcium phosphate (TCP, E341iii) is a widely used food ingredient valued for two main roles: as an anti-caking agent and processing aid in dry powders, and as a calcium source in nutritional fortification. In dry mixes, spices and beverage powders, TCP helps maintain free-flowing properties by reducing clumping and improving powder handling. In nutritional products, it supports calcium enrichment in applications such as beverage powders, premixes and functional blends. Atlas Global Trading Co. supplies food-grade TCP with documentation support and global logistics from Ankara, Türkiye.
Permissions, maximum use levels and labelling requirements vary by country and product category. Atlas provides documentation support; customers remain responsible for confirming regulatory compliance, claims and declarations for destination markets.
Why tricalcium phosphate is used in powders and nutrition systems
TCP is a calcium phosphate salt with low solubility in water, which makes it useful as a flow aid in dry powders and as a stable mineral source in premixes and fortified blends. In seasoning and beverage powders, small amounts can help reduce caking caused by humidity and hygroscopic components. In nutritional applications, it provides calcium in a controlled way, with formulation choices influenced by solubility needs, sensory targets and label strategy.
Key characteristics
- Chemical name: Tricalcium phosphate (also known as tribasic calcium phosphate).
- Food additive reference: Commonly E341iii in many systems.
- Primary roles:
- Anti-caking agent and processing aid for dry powders,
- Carrier for flavors, vitamins and functional ingredients in premixes,
- Calcium source for food fortification.
- Typical appearance: White powder with controlled particle size distribution.
- Solubility: Low solubility in water; application selection should consider dispersibility and sensory impact.
- Performance drivers:
- Particle morphology and size influence flow and anti-caking performance,
- Low reactivity helps maintain stability in dry blends.
Atlas can support grade selection for anti-caking performance and for calcium fortification targets, including guidance on blend design and handling.
Indicative specification points
Specifications depend on grade and destination requirements. Typical control points for food-grade TCP include:
- Assay / content: calcium and phosphate content confirmed on COA.
- Loss on drying / moisture: controlled for stable flow properties and shelf life.
- Particle size distribution: defined to match anti-caking efficiency and processing requirements.
- Bulk density and flowability: monitored for dosing consistency in dry blends.
- Insoluble matter (where applicable): controlled for product consistency.
- Heavy metals and contaminants: within applicable limits for food ingredients/additives.
- Microbiological quality (where applicable): aligned with intended use and GMP requirements.
Each lot is supplied with a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and specification sheet. Additional documents can include allergen statements, GMO status (where applicable), origin declarations and Halal/Kosher certificates depending on the selected supply chain.
TCP applications in dry mixes, seasonings, beverage powders and nutritional blends
Tricalcium phosphate is widely used where free-flowing powder performance is important and where calcium enrichment is desired. Dosage depends on the powder matrix, humidity exposure and flow targets. In fortified products, selection depends on solubility needs, labeling and sensory goals.
Anti-caking and flow aid applications
- Spices and seasoning blends: helps reduce clumping and maintain consistent dosing in production and consumer use.
- Salt blends and dry mixes: supports free-flowing behavior under humidity stress.
- Beverage powders and instant mixes: improves powder handling and reduces caking during storage.
- Cheese powders and savory powders: used in certain systems to support flow and prevent agglomeration.
- Flavor carriers and premixes: used as a dry carrier for sensitive ingredients in standardized blends.
Nutritional fortification
- Nutrition premixes: provides calcium in vitamin/mineral blends and functional premixes.
- Powdered beverages and meal replacements: supports calcium enrichment where appropriate for formulation design.
- Cereals and dry fortified foods: used in selected applications for stable mineral addition.
Usage and formulation guidance
- Dosage:
- Anti-caking use levels depend on powder composition, humidity exposure and target flow performance,
- Fortification levels depend on desired calcium contribution and local regulatory frameworks for nutrition claims.
- Addition method:
- Blend uniformly with the bulk powder to ensure consistent performance,
- Use appropriate mixing time to avoid segregation in fine blends.
- Process considerations:
- Particle size selection can influence flow and dusting; choose grade aligned with your handling equipment,
- In beverages, consider dispersibility and potential sensory effects; validate by trials.
- Labelling:
- Often declared as “tricalcium phosphate” or “calcium phosphate,” and as E341iii where required,
- Nutrition claims require local validation for calcium content and claim conditions.
Need TCP for powder flow or calcium fortification?
Share your application (spice/seasoning blends, beverage powders, premixes, nutritional blends), target performance (anti-caking, flowability, calcium level), destination markets, annual volume and documentation requirements. Atlas will propose suitable TCP grades and provide QA/export documentation.
Discuss TCP supplyQuality documentation and global supply support for tricalcium phosphate
Atlas Global Trading Co. coordinates TCP supply from qualified manufacturers and manages documentation and export logistics from Ankara, Türkiye, serving seasoning blenders, beverage powder producers and nutrition premix manufacturers worldwide.
Quality and documentation
- Supplied as food-grade tricalcium phosphate with specifications aligned to anti-caking and fortification needs.
- Each lot includes a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and specification sheet.
- Documentation can include allergen statements, GMO status (where applicable), origin declarations, contaminants/heavy metals data and Halal/Kosher certificates depending on supply chain.
- Manufacturing sites typically operate under recognised quality and food safety systems; certificates can be shared on request.
- Customers remain responsible for confirming permitted uses, maximum levels and labelling/claim requirements in each destination market.
Packaging, storage and logistics
- Standard packaging: commonly 25 kg bags; alternative packaging can be discussed depending on manufacturer and grade.
- Suitable for full-container or consolidated shipments with other phosphates and functional ingredients from the Atlas portfolio.
- Store in a cool, dry place in tightly closed original packaging to protect flow properties and avoid moisture uptake.
- Shelf life is stated on the COA/specification; validate performance in your process and storage conditions.
- Shipments can be arranged under FOB, CFR, CIF or other agreed Incoterms with export documentation support coordinated from Ankara.
For a quotation, please share your application category, preferred particle size/grade (if known), annual volume, packaging preference and documentation requirements for your destination markets.