Ammonium 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
An ammonium salt of fumaric acid, sometimes used in baking applications.
How it is used in food
Ammonium fumarate combines fumaric acid's efficient sourness with high solubility and a source of assimilable nitrogen, making it useful both as an acidity regulator and as a dough conditioner or yeast nutrient in fermented products.
Commonly found in- Historically in food processing
Health and safety
Not explicitly authorised in the EU.
JECFA's ADI of 6 mg/kg body weight per day for fumaric acid and its salts, expressed as fumaric acid, applies here. Fumarate enters the citric acid cycle directly and ammonium is cleared by the urea cycle, so no unusual metabolic burden arises at additive levels. The EU authorises fumaric acid (E 297) but not this salt.
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
- E368
Worth knowing
Ammonium salts of food acids do double duty in fermentation: the acid sets the pH the microbes need while the ammonium feeds them, which is why brewers and bakers reach for ammonium forms rather than sodium ones.
Conclusion
An unauthorized synthetic buffering agent.
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Open the appEntry last reviewed 2026-07-28.
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