Mineral guide
Phosphorus
Phosphorus is an essential mineral found throughout the body. It is especially well known for its role in bones and teeth, but it also contributes to energy metabolism and the normal function of cell membranes.
Explore the guide ↓What is phosphorus?
Phosphorus is an essential mineral and a structural component of bones, teeth and cell membranes. In foods and the body it is mainly present as phosphate.
What does phosphorus support?
Phosphorus contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism, normal function of cell membranes and the maintenance of normal bones and teeth.
How much phosphorus?
The EU label NRV for phosphorus is 700 mg. This provides a useful reference for interpreting labelled amounts in products that contain phosphorus.
Phosphorus from food, additives and supplements
Phosphorus is widely available from foods such as dairy products, meat, fish, eggs, legumes, nuts and grains. It can also appear as phosphate additives in processed foods. Standalone phosphorus supplements are relatively uncommon, so total dietary context often matters more than finding a high-strength phosphorus product.
As kidney function declines, phosphate can become harder to excrete and phosphorus management may become part of medical nutrition care. That is different from routine supplement shopping and should follow individual healthcare guidance.
What should you look for?
Phosphorus / day
When a supplement contains phosphorus, compare the labelled elemental phosphorus amount with the 700 mg NRV.
Overall formulation
Phosphorus is often part of a broader mineral or multinutrient formulation rather than the main reason to choose a product.
Food intake matters
Because phosphorus is common in the food supply, the supplement label is only one part of total dietary intake.
EU health claim details
Authorised health claims
A quick consumer view — full regulatory list available below● Phosphorus contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.Energy metabolism · General population
Health functions (Article 13)
Condition of use
The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of phosphorus.
General food: 105 mg / 100 g or 100 ml
Beverage: 52.5 mg / 100 ml
Single-portion pack: 105 mg per portion
Calculated from the EU NRV significant-amount reference. Claim-specific conditions take precedence.
EFSA / scientific assessment
EFSA opinion reference listed in the EU Register / Regulation (EU) No 432/2012
EU legal source
Commission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 (consolidated 20 Aug 2025)
● Phosphorus contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.Bones · General population
Health functions (Article 13)
Condition of use
The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of phosphorus.
General food: 105 mg / 100 g or 100 ml
Beverage: 52.5 mg / 100 ml
Single-portion pack: 105 mg per portion
Calculated from the EU NRV significant-amount reference. Claim-specific conditions take precedence.
EFSA / scientific assessment
EFSA opinion reference listed in the EU Register / Regulation (EU) No 432/2012
EU legal source
Commission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 (consolidated 20 Aug 2025)
● Phosphorus is needed for the normal growth and development of bone in children.Children's bone growth and development ·
Children's growth & development (Article 14(1)(b))
Condition of use
The claim can be used only for food which is at least a source of phosphorus as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
General food: 105 mg / 100 g or 100 ml
Beverage: 52.5 mg / 100 ml
Single-portion pack: 105 mg per portion
Calculated from the EU NRV significant-amount reference. Claim-specific conditions take precedence.
EFSA / scientific assessment
Q-2008-217
EU legal source
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Regulatory details
Check how the claims on this page are classified and where their regulatory information comes from.
View page-level details
- Ingredient
- Phosphorus
- Category
- Mineral
- NRV
- 700 mg
- Authorised claims
- 5
- Other assessed claims
- 0
- Claim framework
- EU nutrition and health claims framework. Individual claim cards show the specific claim type, conditions of use, EFSA reference and legal source available in the version data.
Tip: expand any claim above for its claim-specific source details. The European Commission's EU Register is an information service; legal acts are the authoritative source for legal requirements, and some pending claims are not shown in the Register.
Claim use requirements
How much of this nutrient must a food contain for an EU health claim to be used?
52.5 mg / 100 ml for beverages
105 mg per portion if the package contains only one portion