Monocalcium phosphate (MCP) is one of the most common leavening acids in the baking industry, reacting with sodium bicarbonate to produce carbon dioxide gas that gives breads, cakes, and pancake mixes their rise. For kosher food manufacturers, sourcing MCP with proper certification ensures that finished baked goods meet dietary requirements.
Classified under the European food additive number E341(i), monocalcium phosphate exists in two forms: anhydrous and monohydrate. The monohydrate form, with the chemical formula Ca(H2PO4)2*H2O, is the more commonly used version in food production.
How Monocalcium Phosphate Earns Kosher Status
MCP is produced by reacting calcium hydroxide or calcium carbonate with phosphoric acid. Food-grade phosphoric acid is manufactured from phosphate rocks through either a wet process using sulfuric acid or an electrothermal process that heats phosphate rock above 1,100 degrees Celsius. Since all starting materials are mineral-based, MCP is inherently Pareve.
This product is also verified as allergen-free, BSE-free, GMO-free, and GRAS-listed, meeting FDA regulations under 21 CFR 182.1217.
Baking and Beverage Applications
MCP serves as the acid component in baking powders, where it reacts quickly with baking soda at room temperature. This fast-acting characteristic makes it ideal for products that need immediate gas production, such as self-rising flour and pancake mixes.
Beyond baking, monocalcium phosphate provides calcium and phosphorus nutrition in acidic beverages, juices, functional waters, jams, and jellies. Univar Solutions markets FCC-grade kosher MCP specifically for bakery and dry beverage mix applications, with a specific gravity of 0.59 to 0.64 at room temperature.
Technical Properties Worth Knowing
Monocalcium phosphate appears as a white, granular powder or deliquescent crystals. It is sparingly soluble in water at roughly 1.8% at 30 degrees Celsius, and its solution pH sits around 3 due to phosphoric acid produced by hydrolysis. The compound is insoluble in ethanol.
MCP is generally recognized as vegan, gluten free, and dairy free. These attributes, combined with kosher certification, make it suitable for a wide range of dietary-restricted product lines.
Regulatory Compliance and Certifications
Kosher-certified MCP typically complies with FCC standards and multiple FDA regulations. Praylev Aerocal 308, for example, meets FSSC 22000, HACCP, ISO 9001, and EU Regulation No. 1333/2008. These layered certifications give food manufacturers confidence across both domestic and international markets.
When evaluating suppliers, look for current kosher certificates from recognized agencies, along with FCC compliance documentation and full certificates of analysis.
Kosher Monocalcium Phosphate Supplier
We supply bulk food-grade monocalcium phosphate from top manufacturers in China. We help you handle the entire bulk ingredients sourcing process in China: manufacturer selection (top Chinese food ingredients manufacturers), price negotiation, quality verification, and logistics coordination.
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