Reference Intakes

"In comparison to calcium, most Americans are not at risk for having a phosphate deficiency. Phosphate is present in many foods popular in the American diet including meat, fish, dairy products, processed foods, and beverages. Phosphate is added to many foods because it acts as an emulsifying agent, prevents clumping, improves texture and taste, and extends shelf-life. The average intake of phosphorus in US adults ranges between 1,000 and 1,500 milligrams per day, well above the RDA of 700 milligrams per day. The UL set for phosphorous is 4,000 milligrams per day for adults and 3,000 milligrams per day for people over age seventy. Dietary Reference Intakes for phosphorus: Infants (0–6 months), RDA 100 mg/day*; infants (6–12 months), RDA 275 mg/day*; children (1–3 years), RDA 460 mg/day and UL 3,000 mg/day; children (4–8 years), RDA 500 mg/day and UL 3,000 mg/day; children (9–13 years), RDA 1,250 mg/day and UL 4,000 mg/day; adolescents (14–18 years), RDA 1,250 mg/day and UL 4,000 mg/day; adults (19–70 years), RDA 700 mg/day and UL 4,000 mg/day; adults over 70 years, RDA 700 mg/day and UL 3,000 mg/day. * denotes Adequate Intake."