Ingredient · E296

Malic

Source
Not animal-derived
Allergen
No
Role in food
Malic acid is primarily used as an acidity regulator and flavor enhancer, giving foods …

What is Malic?

Malic acid is a naturally occurring organic acid found in fruits like apples. It's often produced industrially through chemical synthesis or fermentation for use as a food additive.

Is Malic vegan?

Malic is not animal-derived. Products that contain it can still include other animal-derived ingredients, so check the full ingredient list.

Is Malic gluten-free?

Malic acid is not derived from any of the nine major allergens recognized by the FDA, nor does it contain gluten.

What is Malic used for?

Malic acid is primarily used as an acidity regulator and flavor enhancer, giving foods a tart, fruity taste.

Is Malic safe?

In the U.S., malic acid is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use in food.

Why it's used

Malic acid is primarily used as an acidity regulator and flavor enhancer, giving foods a tart, fruity taste. It's commonly found in candies, beverages, baked goods, and frozen desserts.

Health notes

In the U.S., malic acid is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use in food. International bodies like JECFA and EFSA have also evaluated it. At typical consumption levels, it is not associated with adverse health effects. Evidence does not suggest significant health concerns at the levels found in food.

Allergen info

Malic acid is not derived from any of the nine major allergens recognized by the FDA, nor does it contain gluten.

Foods that contain Malic

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Auto-generated content. This description was generated automatically and is pending editorial review. Inaccuracies are possible. Found a mistake? Contact us.

Last updated: September 28, 2026

Note: This site presents label data from USDA FoodData Central for general information. It is not medical advice. Check the package label; formulations change.