What is E326?
Potassium salt of lactic acid used as a pH-control agent, humectant or flavouring-related ingredient in permitted foods. Goodnessly rates E326 Safe, while food-category permissions and regulator conditions still apply.
Potassium salt of lactic acid used as a pH-control agent, humectant or flavouring-related ingredient in permitted foods. Check the food category, amount and full formulation rather than judging one ingredient in isolation.
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Read the FAQ →
What is Potassium lactate?
Potassium salt of lactic acid used as a pH-control agent, humectant or flavouring-related ingredient in permitted foods. Its function depends on the formulation and the conditions attached to the permitted use.
What's it used for?
- Helping control pH
- Supporting moisture management as a humectant
- Serving a permitted flavour-enhancing or flavouring-related function
- Supporting the stated technical purpose in a food category
Where you'll find E326 on the shelf
You may see E326 in packaged foods where its technical function is useful and the food category permits it.
Is E326 permitted? What the regulators say
Potassium lactate is listed in the checked AU/NZ and EU frameworks with conditions, and the US source gives a specified food-use pathway. Permission is conditional: category, level, identity and specifications matter.
| Region | Status | What this means |
|---|---|---|
| AU/NZ Australia & New Zealand (FSANZ) | Permitted with conditions | FSANZ Schedule 15 lists potassium lactate for specified food categories and conditions. [FSANZ source] |
| EU European Union (EUR-Lex) | Authorised with conditions | The consolidated Union list includes E326 for specified categories and conditions of use. [EUR-Lex source] |
| US United States (FDA) | Permitted with conditions | FDA 21 CFR §184.1639 affirms potassium lactate for specified functions at levels not exceeding current good manufacturing practice; it does not authorise use in infant foods or infant formula. [FDA source] |
Goodnessly rates E326 Safe within its rating system. The rating does not remove the need to consider the product category, amount or full formulation.
- JECFA’s assessment uses a not-limited ADI under intended food-use conditions.
- No completed newer EFSA numerical ADI for potassium lactate was identified in the checked primary-source set.
- The current EU Union list and FDA food-use provision were checked for identity and conditions.
This section is checked periodically rather than continuously — confirm the current primary source before relying on a regulatory detail.
Who might want to limit or avoid it
- People comparing additive functions across products
- People checking the frequency of this ingredient in their usual foods
- People who want to consider the whole formulation and serving pattern
Goodnessly rates E326 Safe as a practical prompt to understand the ingredient, the product and the overall formulation.
How to spot it on a label
Look for:
- Potassium lactate
- 326
- E326
- Additive class (326)
Ingredient labels may use the name, the number, or the additive class followed by the number.
Related additives
Frequently asked questions
What is E326?
E326 is Potassium lactate, potassium salt of lactic acid used as a ph-control agent, humectant or flavouring-related ingredient in permitted foods.
Is E326 permitted?
E326 is listed with conditions in Australia/New Zealand and the EU, and the FDA source gives a specified US food-use pathway.
What should I know about potassium lactate?
Use depends on the food category, amount, identity and the applicable regulator conditions; a listing is not a blanket permission for every food.
How does Goodnessly rate E326?
Goodnessly rates E326 (Potassium lactate) as Safe within its rating system.
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