Safe
E296 — Malic acid
Acidity regulator
E296 (Malic acid), a acidity regulator, is rated "safe": no significant concern. The natural acid in apples and other fruit. Used in candy, soft drinks, and jams for sour taste. Safe at food levels.
What is Malic acid?
The acid that gives green apples their sharp taste; also found in grapes, plums, and rhubarb. Used in sour candies, soft drinks, jams, and wine.
What does it do to the body?
Part of your body's energy cycle (the Krebs cycle), so it gets used as fuel. No realistic safety concern at food levels.
What regulators say
EFSA and the FDA both treat it as a safe additive with no numerical limit.
Risk rating: Safe
Cleared by EFSA with no significant concern at typical dietary exposure. Common, well-studied, and not a reason to put a product back on the shelf.
Frequently asked questions
Is E296 (Malic acid) safe?
EFSA and the FDA both treat it as a safe additive with no numerical limit.
What is E296 (Malic acid)?
The acid that gives green apples their sharp taste; also found in grapes, plums, and rhubarb. Used in sour candies, soft drinks, jams, and wine.
What does Malic acid do to the body?
Part of your body's energy cycle (the Krebs cycle), so it gets used as fuel. No realistic safety concern at food levels.
What are other names for E296?
E296 is also known as malic acid.
