What is E328?
Ammonium lactate — a simple salt made by neutralising lactic acid with ammonia, used as an acidity regulator.
E328 (ammonium lactate) is made by neutralising lactic acid — a common food acid also produced naturally during fermentation — with ammonia. It belongs to the same well-reviewed lactate family as calcium lactate and sodium lactate, and is used as an acidity regulator in a small range of processed foods. Goodnessly rates it Safe.
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Read the FAQ →
What is ammonium lactate?
Ammonium lactate is made by neutralising lactic acid with ammonia. Lactic acid itself is a common food acid, produced naturally during fermentation (it's what gives yoghurt and sourdough their tang), so ammonium lactate is a straightforward derivative of a well-established food ingredient. It's part of a small family of lactate salts used similarly across the food industry, including sodium lactate and calcium lactate.
What's it used for?
- Acidity regulator in a range of processed foods
- Buffering agent to stabilise pH
Where you'll find 328 on the shelf
A minor, functional ingredient in a small range of processed foods.
Is ammonium lactate safe? What the research says
Ammonium lactate belongs to the well-reviewed lactate family, with a clean regulatory record.
| Region | Status | What this means |
|---|---|---|
| AU/NZ Australia & New Zealand (FSANZ) | Permitted | Permitted as an acidity regulator with no specific quantity restriction in most categories. |
| EU European Union (EFSA) | Permitted | Listed as E328, approved for general food use. |
| US United States (FDA) | GRAS | Holds Generally Recognized As Safe status for use as a food additive. |
Ammonium lactate is made from lactic acid, a food acid the body already produces naturally during normal metabolism, particularly during exercise.
- No significant regulatory changes: ammonium lactate's approval status has remained stable, reflecting its long, low-controversy safety record.
This section is checked periodically rather than continuously — if you're reading this well after the date above, it's worth confirming nothing has changed before citing it.
Who this matters to
- No population group has a specific safety-based reason to limit E328 at typical food-additive levels
Goodnessly rates E328 Safe. It's part of the well-reviewed lactate family, with a long, uncontroversial history as a food additive.
How to spot it on a label
E328 is usually declared clearly. Look out for:
- Ammonium lactate
- 328 or E328
- "Acidity regulator (328)" in the ingredients list
Related additives
Frequently asked questions
Is ammonium lactate the same as lactic acid?
Closely related but not identical. Ammonium lactate is made by neutralising lactic acid with ammonia, producing a salt with similar acidity-regulating properties.
Does Goodnessly rate E328 as safe, caution, or avoid?
Goodnessly rates E328 (Ammonium Lactate) as Safe. It's part of the well-reviewed lactate family, with a long, uncontroversial safety record.
Is E328 vegan?
Yes. Ammonium lactate is produced synthetically from lactic acid and ammonia, with no animal-derived ingredients involved.
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