Ammonium adipate
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 adipic acid, primarily functioning as an acidity regulator and firming agent.
How it is used in food
Ammonium adipate carries adipic acid's distinctive tartness — clean, non-hygroscopic and slow to dissolve — in a more soluble, buffered form. It is used to control pH in powdered drink mixes, gelatine desserts and baking systems, where adipates resist the caking that citric acid causes in dry blends.
Commonly found in- Historically in food processing
Health and safety
Not authorised in the EU.
JECFA set an ADI of 5 mg/kg body weight per day for adipic acid and its salts, and the EU applies the same figure to the authorised adipates. The EU permits adipic acid (E 355) and its sodium and potassium salts (E 356, E 357), but not the ammonium salt, which is instead used under US and Australia–New Zealand rules.
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
- E359
Worth knowing
Adipic acid is overwhelmingly an industrial chemical: the vast majority of world production goes into nylon-6,6, and the food-grade fraction is a rounding error on the polymer market.
Conclusion
An unauthorized synthetic buffering agent.
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Open the appEntry last reviewed 2026-07-28.
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