Ammonium lactate
Not authorised in EU, but permitted in AU-NZ and US. No evidence of harm at dietary intake.
- Category
- Acidity regulators
- Vegan
- Yes
- Vegetarian
- Yes
What it is
The ammonium salt of lactic acid.
How it is used in food
Ammonium lactate buffers pH in the mildly acidic range and acts as a dough conditioner and yeast nutrient, since it supplies both an organic acid and assimilable nitrogen. It is more soluble and less salty-tasting than the alkali-metal lactates, which suits it to bakery and beverage systems where sodium is being reduced.
Commonly found in- Historically as a buffering agent
Health and safety
Not currently authorised on the main EU food additive list.
JECFA evaluated lactic acid and its salts and set an ADI "not limited", reflecting that L-lactate is a normal metabolic intermediate. Ammonium lactate is GRAS in the United States and permitted in Australia–New Zealand, but it does not appear in the EU's Annex II list of authorised additives.
Regulatory status
| Region | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Australia & New Zealand FSANZ |
Permitted | Permitted under the FSANZ Food Standards Code. |
| European Union EFSA / European Commission |
Not approved | Not on the EU authorised list of food additives (Annex II). |
| United States FDA (Food and Drug Administration) |
Permitted | Authorised for food use by the FDA (often GRAS for standard additives). |
Identification on labels
- E-number
- E328
Worth knowing
Its best-known use is not in food at all: 12% ammonium lactate lotion is a standard dermatological treatment for dry, scaly skin, where the lactate acts as both humectant and keratolytic.
Conclusion
An unauthorized acidity regulator.
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Open the appEntry last reviewed 2026-07-28.
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