DID YOU KNOW?

Trisodium phosphate (TSP) is an industrial cleaning product used as a degreasing agent, mildew remover, and lead abating agent and to clean interior and exterior walls before painting. Because of its alkalinizing cleaning properties, TSP was used in dishwashing soap and laundry detergent until it was phased out in 2011 after the EPA found it was harmful to the environment. The Clean Water Act, published by the EPA, lists TSP as a “Hazardous Substance,” while the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends “Avoid All Contact." The CDC lists these TSP ingestion symptoms: abdominal pain, burning sensation, shock, or collapse.

If the EPA says TSP is hazardous to the environment and the CDC tells us to avoid all contact, why does the FDA allow it in our food and personal care products?

Why is TSP used in our food?
TSP is most commonly used to reduce the acidic nature of foods, especially breakfast cereals, as it modifies cereal color and aids in the cereal’s flow through the extruder. Other uses are:

Added to meat to retain moisture during storage and cooking.
Acts as a leavening agent to “fluff up” foods like cakes, breads and baked goods.
Added to cheese to help keep its shape and melting properties.
TSP is also used as an antimicrobial cleaner for washing produce. Poultry is dipped in a TSP solution to potentially kill off bacteria.

Products Commonly Containing TSP
Breakfast Cereals
Other Foods
Personal Care Products
Cheerios* - all types
Cinnamon Toast Crunch
Cocoa Puffs
Cookie Crisp
Dora the Explorer Cereal
Golden Grahams
Kix - all types
Lucky Charms
Raisin Nut Bran
Reese's Puffs
Heart Healthy Cereal
Trader Joe's O's - all types*
Mom's Best Cereals
Honeycomb
Trix
Spongebob Squarepants
Wheaties
Total Raisin Bran
Lunchmeat
Ham
Other processed meats
Processed cheese
Cheese sauces
Rice syrup
Canned soups
Cake mixes
Bread
Pizza dough
Other baked goods
Toothpaste for adults, kids, and babies
Mouthwash
Hair coloring and bleaching products
source: https://theingredientguru.com/....why-is-trisodium-pho