This invention relates to a chewable lanthanum formulation comprising a pharmaceutically effective amount of a lanthanum compound; and at least one chewable pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. This invention also relates to a pharmaceutical formulation in a tablet or in a powder comprising a pharmaceutically effective amount of a lanthanum compound produced by a process which comprises the steps of (a) powder blending the lanthanum compound and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient in a mixer to form a mixture; or (b) powder blending the lanthanum compound and excipients, compressing the resulting combination into a slug material or roller compacting the resulting combination into a strand material, and milling the prepared material into a free flowing mixture; and (c) compressing the resulting mixture into a tablet or filling up the resulting mixture in an appropriate container.