Magnesium lactate
A safe and highly beneficial dietary supplement.
- Category
- Acidity regulators
- Vegan
- Yes
- Vegetarian
- Yes
What it is
The magnesium salt of lactic acid, used as a highly bioavailable magnesium supplement.
How it is used in food
Magnesium lactate works as an acidity regulator and firming agent while doubling as a well-tolerated source of dietary magnesium — a mineral most Western diets fall short on. It is considerably more soluble and gentler on the gut than magnesium oxide, and its mild taste makes it usable in fortified drinks, cereals and supplements without the bitterness of many magnesium salts.
Commonly found in- Food supplements
- Fortified foods
Health and safety
Very safe; it is an excellent dietary source of magnesium.
Lactic acid and its salts carry a JECFA ADI "not limited", and magnesium lactate is an authorised magnesium source for fortified foods and supplements in the EU. The practical limit is magnesium itself: EU authorities set a tolerable upper level of 250 mg/day for supplemental magnesium, above which osmotic diarrhoea becomes likely.
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
- E329
Worth knowing
It is one of the additives that is more valuable for what it carries than for what it does: the lactate is the technical function, but the magnesium ion is why manufacturers usually choose it over cheaper acidulants.
Conclusion
A safe and highly beneficial dietary supplement.
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Open the appEntry last reviewed 2026-07-28.
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