What is E380?
Ammonium citrate — a simple salt made by neutralising citric acid with ammonia, used as an acidity regulator and emulsifying salt.
E380 (ammonium citrate, also called triammonium citrate) is made by partially neutralising citric acid with ammonia, producing a salt used as an acidity regulator. It holds Generally Recognized As Safe status in the US with no limitation other than standard manufacturing practice, and belongs to the same well-reviewed citrate family as citric acid and calcium citrate. Goodnessly rates it Safe.
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Read the FAQ →
What is ammonium citrate?
Ammonium citrate is made by partially neutralising citric acid — the same acid found in citrus fruits — with ammonia. The result is a salt that performs a similar acidity-regulating role to citric acid itself, while also acting as an emulsifying salt in some applications. It's part of a broader family of citrate salts that includes sodium citrate and calcium citrate, all sharing the same well-established citrate backbone with a different accompanying ion.
What's it used for?
- Acidity regulator in a range of processed foods
- Emulsifying salt in some dairy and cheese products
- Buffering agent to stabilise pH
Where you'll find 380 on the shelf
A minor, functional ingredient in a small range of processed foods.
Is ammonium citrate safe? What the research says
Ammonium citrate belongs to the well-reviewed citrate family, and has a clean regulatory record reflecting that.
| 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 E380, approved for general food use. |
| US United States (FDA) | GRAS | Holds Generally Recognized As Safe status under 21 CFR 184, used in food with no limitation other than current good manufacturing practice. |
Ammonium citrate is made by partially neutralising citric acid, itself one of the most extensively reviewed and widely used food acids, with ammonia.
- No significant regulatory changes: ammonium citrate'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 E380 at typical food-additive levels
Goodnessly rates E380 Safe. It's part of the well-reviewed citrate family, with a long, uncontroversial history as a food additive.
How to spot it on a label
E380 is usually declared clearly. Look out for:
- Ammonium citrate
- Triammonium citrate
- 380 or E380
- "Acidity regulator (380)" in the ingredients list
Processed cheese and dairy products are the most common places to find it.
Related additives
Frequently asked questions
Is ammonium citrate the same as citric acid?
Closely related but not identical — ammonium citrate is made by partially neutralising citric acid with ammonia, producing a salt with similar acidity-regulating properties.
Does Goodnessly rate E380 as safe, caution, or avoid?
Goodnessly rates E380 (Ammonium Citrate) as Safe. It holds GRAS status in the US and belongs to the well-reviewed citrate family, with a long, uncontroversial safety record.
Is E380 vegan?
Yes. Ammonium citrate is produced synthetically from citric acid and ammonia, with no animal-derived ingredients involved.
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