What is E349?
Ammonium malate — a simple salt made by neutralising malic acid with ammonia, used as an acidity regulator.
E349 (ammonium malate) is made by neutralising malic acid — a common fruit acid found naturally in apples — with ammonia. It belongs to the same well-reviewed malate family as calcium malate and sodium malate, 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 malate?
Ammonium malate is made by neutralising malic acid with ammonia. Malic acid itself is a common food acid, found naturally in apples and many other fruits, giving them their tart taste, so ammonium malate is a straightforward derivative of a well-established food ingredient. It's part of a small family of malate salts used similarly across the food industry, including sodium malate and calcium malate.
What's it used for?
- Acidity regulator in a range of processed foods
- Buffering agent to stabilise pH
Where you'll find 349 on the shelf
A minor, functional ingredient in a small range of processed foods.
Is ammonium malate safe? What the research says
Ammonium malate belongs to the well-reviewed malate 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 E349, approved for general food use. |
| US United States (FDA) | GRAS | Holds Generally Recognized As Safe status for use as a food additive. |
Ammonium malate is made from malic acid, a food acid the body already produces naturally during normal metabolism, as fruit ripens.
- No significant regulatory changes: ammonium malate'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 E349 at typical food-additive levels
Goodnessly rates E349 Safe. It's part of the well-reviewed malate family, with a long, uncontroversial history as a food additive.
How to spot it on a label
E349 is usually declared clearly. Look out for:
- Ammonium malate
- 349 or E349
- "Acidity regulator (349)" in the ingredients list
Related additives
Frequently asked questions
Is ammonium malate the same as malic acid?
Closely related but not identical. Ammonium malate is made by neutralising malic acid with ammonia, producing a salt with similar acidity-regulating properties.
Does Goodnessly rate E349 as safe, caution, or avoid?
Goodnessly rates E349 (Ammonium Malate) as Safe. It's part of the well-reviewed malate family, with a long, uncontroversial safety record.
Is E349 vegan?
Yes. Ammonium malate is produced synthetically from malic acid and ammonia, with no animal-derived ingredients involved.
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