Fumaric acid
Natural fruit-type acid.
- Acceptable daily intake
- 6 mg/kg body weight/day (EFSA)
- Vegan
- Yes
- Vegetarian
- Yes
What it is
Fumaric acid is a naturally occurring organic acid that provides a lingering, tart fruit flavor.
How it is used in food
Provides a lingering, fruity tartness to candies and acts as an effective dough conditioner.
Commonly found in- Sour candies
- Fruit drinks
- Jellies
- Tortillas
Health and safety
None known. Fumarate is an intermediate in the citric acid cycle — the process every cell in your body uses to make energy.
No safety concern identified at permitted uses.
Regulatory status
| Region | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Australia & New Zealand FSANZ |
Permitted | Permitted under the FSANZ Food Standards Code. |
| European Union EFSA / European Commission |
Permitted | Authorised for food use under EU regulations (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
- E297
How it is made
Produced industrially through the fermentation of sugars by specific fungi.
- Fermentation or Synthesis — Commercially produced by the catalytic isomerization of maleic acid or by fermentation of sugar by fungi.
Worth knowing
Naturally found in many plants, especially fumitory (Fumaria officinalis), from which its name is derived.
Conclusion
There is no reason to avoid fumaric acid in sour sweets or fruit drinks. As an intermediate in the citric acid cycle that your cells use to produce energy, it is safely processed by the body and carries no safety concern at authorized food levels.
References
Is it in what you are buying?
ScanWise reads the barcode and tells you which additives a product actually contains, and what they do to its score.
Open the appEntry last reviewed 2026-07-28.
← All additives