Use food grade 85 percent phosphoric acid as an acidulant in drinks and as the acid step in dairy and juice CIP. This article covers typical specs, CIP strengths, a worked dilution example, storage in Oman's heat, and supply from Barka to Muscat and across Oman.
If your plant needs an acid to flavour drinks and to strip milkstone after the caustic wash, order 85 percent phosphoric acid in food grade. We supply Phosphoric Acid Food Grade (part number RXSOL-19-1105-020) from Barka to beverage, dairy and food plants in Muscat and across Oman. It comes in 35 kg, 330 kg and IBC packing. Food grade acid also suits cleaning food-contact surfaces. For metal treatment we list other grades.
What is 85 percent phosphoric acid and which grade should you buy
Phosphoric acid, also called orthophosphoric acid (H3PO4, CAS 7664-38-2), is a clear, colourless, odourless and viscous liquid made from phosphate rock. It has three acidic hydrogens (a triprotic acid). It is stronger than acetic, citric and lactic acid and weaker than nitric, sulfuric and hydrochloric acid. It mixes fully with water.
The usual commercial strengths are 75%, 80% and 85% H3PO4. Food grade 85% is typically specified at 85.0 to 85.5% H3PO4, and some specifications allow 85 to 88% w/w. Food grade product is made to the Food Chemicals Codex (FCC) monograph, is listed as GRAS under 21 CFR 182.1073 and has the EU additive number E338.
Choose the grade by the job:
- Phosphoric Acid Food Grade (RXSOL-19-1105-020) for soft drinks, juices, food processing and cleaning food-contact surfaces.
- Phosphoric Acid 85 Percent (RXSOL-19-1105-180) for pre-metal treatment, sugar refining, anodising, soaps and detergents, waste water treatment and stabilising hydrogen peroxide.
- Phosphoric Acid 47 to 50 (RXSOL-19-1105-025) when a weaker acid will do, such as pre-metal treatment, metal cleaning, water pH adjustment and detergents.
Tell us what you will use it for when you request a quote. Web values in the table below are typical figures for the product class. Ask us for the figures that apply to your batch.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Part number | RXSOL-19-1105-020 (food grade), RXSOL-19-1105-180 (85 percent), RXSOL-19-1105-025 (47 to 50) |
| Formula and CAS | H3PO4, CAS 7664-38-2 |
| Assay (typical, food grade 85%) | 85.0 to 85.5% H3PO4 |
| Specific gravity (typical) | 1.686 to 1.69 at 25 °C |
| Freezing point (typical) | About 21 °C |
| Viscosity (typical) | About 43.5 cP at 25 °C |
| P2O5 content (typical) | About 61.7% |
| pH (typical) | Below 1 |
| FCC impurity limits (typical) | Fluoride max 10 ppm, arsenic max 3 ppm, cadmium max 3 ppm, lead max 3 ppm, heavy metals max 5 ppm; sulfate max 250 ppm; chloride and iron max 10 ppm each |
| Application | Beverage acidulant, food pH control, dairy and juice CIP acid step, sugar refining, metal treatment |
| Packing (food grade) | 35 kg, 330 kg, IBC |
| Transport | UN1805, Phosphoric acid solution, Class 8, Packing Group III |
Phosphoric acid in soft drinks, juices and food processing
In drinks, food grade phosphoric acid works as an acidulant and flavouring agent. About 0.05% phosphoric acid gives cola drinks their typical sharp taste. Bottling and juice plants also use it for pH control and adjustment.
This class of acid has other food uses too. It curdles cottage cheese, degums vegetable oil in refining, and acidifies and buffers jams, jellies and salad dressings. In sugar refining it forms a calcium phosphate precipitate with lime that clears the juice. It also improves gelatin clarity, helps dry egg albumen, and serves as a food additive and emulsifying agent.
Your recipe and the food authority's limits set the dose in your product. For food safety audits in Oman, plants usually keep the batch analysis, the SDS, a statement of FCC compliance and, where their customers need it, a halal certificate. Ask us which documents are available for your batch when you request a quote.
Dairy and beverage CIP: the phosphoric acid wash
In a CIP cycle the caustic wash removes fat and protein. The acid step that follows removes milkstone and mineral scale that the caustic leaves on tanks, pipes and plate heat exchangers.
Formulated phosphoric or nitric-phosphoric dairy acid cleaners are typically used at 0.2 to 1.0% v/v for the routine acid step after the alkaline wash. For heavy milkstone they are used at 1.0 to 4.0% v/v, from ambient temperature up to 60 °C. These are typical figures for formulated cleaners of this class. If you make up your own acid wash from 85% food grade acid, start at the low end and check the results on your own lines.
Follow these rules for CIP with phosphoric acid:
- Never mix phosphoric acid cleaners with chlorine-containing products such as hypochlorite sanitisers.
- Check the chloride level in your make-up water. Small amounts of chloride (15 to 30 ppm), for example from chlorinated water, make phosphoric acid more aggressive to stainless steel. Test the water before you fill the acid tank.
- Rinse thoroughly with potable water after the acid step and check the rinse pH before the next product run.
How to dilute 85% phosphoric acid safely
Always add acid to water, never water to acid. Mixing gives off heat, so add the acid slowly to the full volume of water while you stir. Wear your goggles, gloves and apron before you open the drum.
Here is a worked example by weight. To make 100 kg of a 10% w/w solution, you need 100 × 10 ÷ 85 = 11.76 kg of 85% acid. Put 88.24 kg of water in the tank first, then slowly add the 11.76 kg of acid. One litre of 85% acid weighs about 1.69 kg, so 11.76 kg is close to 7 litres, which helps if you measure by volume.
Cleaning drip irrigation lines
Hard irrigation water leaves calcium, magnesium, iron and manganese deposits in drippers. Typical guidance is to run water treated to about 0.6% phosphoric acid (pH about 2.5) through the system, leave it for 2 to 6 hours and then flush. Phosphoric acid fertiliser at about 75% H3PO4 is also injected through drip systems to acidify irrigation water, using a pH meter to set the acid dose.
Storage, tank choice and safety in Oman's heat
85% phosphoric acid freezes at about 21 °C, while the 75% grade freezes at about -18 °C. In a Barka or Muscat store the acid stays liquid for most of the year. A drum kept in an air-conditioned store, or left outside on a winter night in the interior, can cool below 21 °C and crystallise. If the acid is not stirred, it can supercool below its freezing point, so bulk tanks of the 80% and 85% grades may need heating. Keep containers closed because the acid takes up moisture from the air.
Type 316L stainless steel is the preferred tank construction for all grades, especially food grade. Rubber-lined carbon steel and FRP (bisphenol-A-fumarate polyester) tanks are also used. Never use plain carbon steel. Grades 302, 304 and 316 (non-L) can turn the acid green. The acid reacts with aluminium and zinc, including galvanised surfaces, and releases flammable hydrogen gas, though the acid itself does not burn. It ships in HDPE drums, lined steel drums, IBCs and bulk tankers. Bulk tanks should stand in a bund that holds 110% of the volume of the largest tank.
The hazard signal word is Danger. Phosphoric acid causes severe skin burns and serious eye damage, and may be corrosive to metals. For PPE, wear properly fitted chemical goggles, impervious gloves, an apron and protective clothing. A respirator is needed only if mist exceeds the TLV-TWA of 1 mg/m³. For eye contact, flush the eyes with water for 15 minutes and get medical help. If swallowed, do not induce vomiting and give water. Contain a spill with dry sand, then neutralise it with hydrated lime or soda ash before disposal.
Where to buy 85 percent phosphoric acid in Muscat and Oman
Muscat Chemical (Muscat & Barka for Business Trading) is based in the Barka Industrial Area and supplies phosphoric acid in Oman. Food grade packing is 35 kg, 330 kg and IBC.
For plants in the north, the same food grade acid is also listed on Sohar Chemical. Call +968 77333599, email muscatchem@gmail.com or send your grade, quantity and delivery site through our quote request page.
Frequently asked questions about 85% phosphoric acid
Is 85% phosphoric acid food grade safe to use in drinks?
Yes, at food-use levels. Food grade acid is made to the FCC monograph, is GRAS under 21 CFR 182.1073 and has the additive number E338. About 0.05% gives cola its typical taste. The concentrated acid is corrosive, so dose it into your product under controlled conditions.
What concentration of phosphoric acid is used for dairy CIP?
Formulated phosphoric acid dairy cleaners are typically used at 0.2 to 1.0% v/v after the alkaline wash, and at 1.0 to 4.0% v/v for heavy milkstone, from ambient temperature up to 60 °C.
What is the density of 85% phosphoric acid?
Its specific gravity is typically 1.686 to 1.69 at 25 °C, so one litre weighs about 1.69 kg. A 1,000 L IBC therefore holds roughly 1.7 tonnes.
Why does 85% phosphoric acid crystallise in storage?
It freezes at about 21 °C and can supercool if not stirred. In Oman this mostly happens in air-conditioned stores or on cold winter nights in the interior. Keep it above 21 °C.
What packing sizes do you supply in Oman?
Food grade phosphoric acid comes in 35 kg, 330 kg and IBC packing.
Request a quote for 85% food grade phosphoric acid on WhatsApp at +968 77333599. Send us the grade, packing and delivery location.
Frequently asked questions
Is 85% phosphoric acid food grade safe to use in drinks?
Yes, at food-use levels. Food grade acid is made to the FCC monograph, is GRAS under 21 CFR 182.1073 and has the additive number E338. About 0.05% gives cola its typical taste. The concentrated acid is corrosive, so dose it into your product under controlled conditions.
What concentration of phosphoric acid is used for dairy CIP?
Formulated phosphoric acid dairy cleaners are typically used at 0.2 to 1.0% v/v after the alkaline wash, and at 1.0 to 4.0% v/v for heavy milkstone, from ambient temperature up to 60 °C.
What is the density of 85% phosphoric acid?
Its specific gravity is typically 1.686 to 1.69 at 25 °C, so one litre weighs about 1.69 kg. A 1,000 L IBC therefore holds roughly 1.7 tonnes.
Why does 85% phosphoric acid crystallise in storage?
It freezes at about 21 °C and can supercool if not stirred. In Oman this mostly happens in air-conditioned stores or on cold winter nights in the interior. Keep it above 21 °C.
What packing sizes do you supply in Oman?
Food grade phosphoric acid comes in 35 kg, 330 kg and IBC packing.