The analytical determination of polyphosphates in food: A point-to-point comparison between direct ion chromatography and indirect photometry

•Indirect photometry and ion chromatography were compared for polyphosphates analysis.•Several validation parameters resulted comparable.•No “false positive” responses were obtained from ion chromatography analysis.•Both approaches may cause “false negative” responses.•Indirect photometry and ion chromatography are complementary (screening/confirmation).