Bone phosphate
Function: Anti-caking agents
E542 is the European food-additive number for Bone phosphate, an anti-caking agent — keeps powders free-flowing and stops them clumping. Bone phosphate (E542) is an emulsifier used as a food additive.
What is E542 used for?
Bone phosphate (E542) is an anti-caking agent — keeps powders free-flowing and stops them clumping. It is added during food production for a technological purpose rather than for nutrition. See all Anti-caking agents (E-numbers).
Is E542 safe or restricted?
E542 is an approved food additive in the EU and currently carries no special regulatory restrictions in the EU additive register. Forkin classifies it as “No known concern” and does not make health claims. See the methodology for how regulatory levels are assigned, or the guide to how EU additives are approved, re-evaluated and banned.
Is E542 vegan or vegetarian?
Bone phosphate (E542) is typically derived from animal sources and is generally not suitable for vegans or vegetarians.
The production source can vary between manufacturers — the Forkin app shows the verified vegan and vegetarian status per product. Always read the label for allergens.
Which foods contain E542?
E542 appears in 20 of the 4.7 million products in Forkin's catalogue — most often in Dog Treats, Candy & Sweets, and Gummy Candy.
- Dog Treats5
- Candy & Sweets3
- Gummy Candy1
- Sausages1
- Ice Cream1
- Tomato Passata / Sauce1
- Pet Supplements1
- Pork (General)1
Often appears alongside
Additives most frequently found in the same ingredient lists as E542 across the catalogue.
Counts reflect Forkin's independently enriched product catalogue and update as new products are added — they are not a market-share statistic.
Frequently asked questions about E542
- What is E542?
- E542 is the E-number for Bone phosphate, an anti-caking agent — keeps powders free-flowing and stops them clumping. Bone phosphate (E542) is an emulsifier used as a food additive.
- What is E542 used for?
- Bone phosphate (E542) is an anti-caking agent — keeps powders free-flowing and stops them clumping. Manufacturers add it during processing rather than for nutrition. The Forkin app shows which products in your scan history actually contain it.
- Which foods contain E542?
- E542 appears in 20 of the 4.7 million products in Forkin's catalogue — most often in Dog Treats, Candy & Sweets, and Gummy Candy. Scan any barcode with the Forkin app to see instantly whether a specific product contains it.
- Is E542 vegan or vegetarian?
- Bone phosphate (E542) is typically derived from animal sources and is generally not suitable for vegans or vegetarians. The Forkin app shows the verified vegan and vegetarian status per product, since the source can vary between manufacturers.
- Is E542 safe, and is it banned anywhere?
- E542 is an approved food additive in the EU and currently carries no special regulatory restrictions in the EU additive register. Forkin classifies it as ‘No known concern’ and does not make health claims — see the methodology page for how regulatory levels are assigned, and the Forkin app for the full profile, including acceptable daily intake (ADI) and restrictions by country.
See the full profile in Forkin
The Forkin app surfaces the full regulatory profile of E542 — acceptable daily intake (ADI), restrictions by country, vegan and vegetarian status, alternative names, and which products in your scan history contain it. See view pricing.