Sodium fumarate
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
A sodium salt of fumaric acid, serving as an acidity regulator and flavor enhancer in processed foods.
How it is used in food
Sodium fumarate solves fumaric acid's main drawback: the parent acid is one of the strongest, most cost-effective food acids per gram but dissolves poorly in cold water. The sodium salt dissolves readily, so it can buffer and acidify beverages, dry mixes and fillings where fumaric acid itself would leave gritty undissolved particles.
Commonly found in- Historically in beverages
Health and safety
Not explicitly authorised on the main EU Annex II list.
JECFA established an ADI of 6 mg/kg body weight per day for fumaric acid and its sodium, potassium, calcium and ammonium salts, expressed as fumaric acid. The EU authorises fumaric acid itself as E 297 but not the salts, which are used under US and Australia–New Zealand regulations.
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
- E365
Worth knowing
Fumarate is a citric-acid-cycle intermediate present in every cell, and fumaric acid is roughly 1.5 times as sour per unit weight as citric acid — one of the reasons it is favoured in cost-sensitive powdered drinks.
Conclusion
An unauthorized acidity regulator.
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Open the appEntry last reviewed 2026-07-28.
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