Ammonium malate
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
An ammonium salt of malic acid, functioning as an acidity regulator and flavoring agent.
How it is used in food
Ammonium malate is the ammonium salt of malic acid, giving it malate's smooth, slow-building sourness — noticeably rounder and longer-lasting on the palate than citric acid's sharp spike — combined with buffering capacity and a source of assimilable nitrogen for fermentations.
Commonly found in- Historically in food processing
Health and safety
Not authorised on the EU main list.
Malic acid and its salts carry a JECFA ADI "not limited", and ammonium malate is GRAS in the United States. The EU authorises the sodium, potassium and calcium malates (E 350–E 352) but not the ammonium salt, so it does not appear in Annex II.
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
- E349
Worth knowing
Malate is a core citric-acid-cycle intermediate, which is why apples taste tart: the acid the additive mimics is the same molecule every human cell uses to make energy.
Conclusion
An unauthorized acidity regulator.
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Open the appEntry last reviewed 2026-07-28.
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