Is trisodium phosphate in Lucky Charms cereal harmful to eat?
By Christiana Dillard
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NO
A recent Facebook post has side-by-side pictures of trisodium phosphate advertised as a heavy-duty cleaner and trisodium phosphate listed as an ingredient in Lucky Charms. Its message was that this is not a safe or healthy thing to eat.
But while the multipurpose compound is an ingredient in the cereal, the Food and Drug Administration has given trisodium phosphate the regulatory status of "generally recognized as safe" when used as an ingredient as it is described by the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations.
In food the compound is used as an anticaking agent, a drying agent and a pH control agent.
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Food and Drug Administration Substances Added to Food
Center for Public Integrity Why the FDA doesn't really know what's in your food
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