Is Tartaric acid safe?

Moderate concern: no hazard classifications on record.

beauty
cleaning
food
industrial

Tartaric acid

CAS 87-69-4 · 40/100 · High conf.

Also registered as 12 other CAS numbers

526-83-0 · 133-37-9 · 138508-61-9 · 144814-09-5 · 1336-18-1 · 8014-54-8 · 8059-77-6 · 1039646-76-8 · 1334703-49-9 · 1488329-53-8 · 2088032-42-0 · 2411406-12-5

Concern score

40/100Moderate concern based on regulatory listings.

High confidence

Tartaric acid in plain language

What it is: Also known as L-tartaric acid · L(+)-tartaric acid · (2R,3R)-2,3-Dihydroxybutanedioic acid · L-2,3-DIHYDROXYBUTANEDIOIC acid · L-2,3-DIHYDROXYSUCCINIC acid · Natural tartaric acid
Show all 35 names
Tartaric acid (l(+)-) · Tartaric acid, l- · Tartrate · Threaric acid · (+)-(2R,3R)-Tartaric acid · (+)-(R,R)-Tartaric acid · (+)-L-Tartaric acid · (+)-Tartaric acid · (+)-Weinsaure · (2R,3R)-(+)-Tartaric acid · (2R,3R)-2,3-dihydroxysuccinic acid · (2R,3R)-Tartaric acid · (R,R)-(+)-Tartaric acid · (R,R)-Tartaric acid · 1,2-Dihydroxyethane-1,2-dicarboxylic acid · Acidum tartaricum · Butanedioic acid, 2,3-dihydroxy- (2R,3R)- · Dextrotartaric acid · E 334 · Ins NO.334 · INS-334 · Kyselina vinna · L-(+)-Tartaric acid · L-threaric acid · Rechtsweinsaeure · L tartaric acid · Weinsaeure · Baros component tartaric acid · Tartaricum acidum
What it does: Used in food as a flavouring agent, acid, antioxidant synergist, sequestrant, synergist.
Flavouring agent, acid, antioxidant synergist, sequestrant, synergist
Humectant
pH adjuster
Fragrance
Flavouring
Stabiliser
Is it a concern?: Moderate concern: no hazard classifications on record.

Why it's flagged

EPA CPDat observed this chemical in 344 composition records across product categories including Construction and building materials, Laboratory supplies, Medical/dental.

The score describes this ingredient's chemical identity — its hazard profile from published classifications and regulatory status — not the safety of any product it appears in.

Regulation

No restrictions found. Tartaric acid appears in these published regulatory listings.

In marketed US drugs
Inactive ingredient in US drugs

Recorded in these product areas

Found in consumer products
Beauty
Cleaning
Pharma
Food
Industrial

USFDAinactive ingredient database24 entries — 7 administration routes
- Route: INTRAMUSCULAR; Dosage form: INJECTION; Maximum daily exposure: 11 mgSource →
- Route: INTRAVENOUS; Dosage form: INJECTION, POWDER, FOR SOLUTION; Potency: 20 mgSource →
- Route: INTRAVENOUS; Dosage form: INJECTION, POWDER, LYOPHILIZED, FOR SOLUTION; Potency: 20 mgSource →
- Route: INTRAVENOUS; Dosage form: INJECTION, SOLUTION; Maximum daily exposure: 20 mgSource →
- Route: INTRAVENOUS; Dosage form: SOLUTION, CONCENTRATE; Maximum daily exposure: 20 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: CAPSULE; Maximum daily exposure: 400 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: CAPSULE, EXTENDED RELEASE; Maximum daily exposure: 1325 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: PELLET; Maximum daily exposure: 354 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: POWDER, FOR SOLUTION; Maximum daily exposure: 270 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: SOLUTION; Maximum daily exposure: 270 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: SUSPENSION; Maximum daily exposure: 40 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET; Maximum daily exposure: 63 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET, COATED; Potency: 10 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET, EXTENDED RELEASE; Maximum daily exposure: 96 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET, FILM COATED; Maximum daily exposure: 30 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET, FOR SUSPENSION; Maximum daily exposure: 28 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET, ORALLY DISINTEGRATING; Maximum daily exposure: 45 mgSource →
- Route: RECTAL; Dosage form: SUPPOSITORY; Maximum daily exposure: 43 mgSource →
- Route: SUBCUTANEOUS; Dosage form: INJECTION, SOLUTION; Maximum daily exposure: 18 mgSource →
- Route: SUBLINGUAL; Dosage form: TABLET; Potency: NASource →
- Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: SYSTEM; Maximum daily exposure: 349 mgSource →
- Route: INTRAVENOUS; Dosage form: INJECTION; Potency: 20 mgSource →
- Route: INTRAMUSCULAR; Dosage form: INJECTION, SOLUTION; Maximum daily exposure: 18 mgSource →
- Route: INTRAMUSCULAR; Dosage form: INJECTION, POWDER, LYOPHILIZED, FOR SOLUTION; Maximum daily exposure: 11 mgSource →
EUEFSAEFSA opinion2 entries
- Re-evaluation of L(+)-tartaric acid (E 334), sodium tartrates (E 335), potassium tartrates (E 336), potassium sodium tartrate (E 337) and calcium tartrate (E 354) as food additives (EFSA FAF)Source →
- Opinion of the Scientific Panel on food additives, flavourings, processing aids and materials in contact with food (AFC) related to L-Carnitine-L-tartrate for use in foods for particular nutritional purposes (EFSA AFC)Source →
GLOBALJECFA0-30 mg/kg bwJECFA evaluation lists ADI 0-30 mg/kg bw. Functional class: flavouring agent, acid, antioxidant synergist, sequestrant, synergist.
- JECFA evaluation lists ADI 0-30 mg/kg bw. Functional class: flavouring agent, acid, antioxidant synergist, sequestrant, synergist.Source →
USEPAcommercial use observedEPA CPDat observed this chemical in 344 composition records across product categories including Construction and building materials, Laboratory supplies, Medical/dental. EPA CPDat classifies this chemical for functional uses including pH regulating agent, Deodorizer, Fragrance.
- EPA CPDat observed this chemical in 344 composition records across product categories including Construction and building materials, Laboratory supplies, Medical/dental. EPA CPDat classifies this chemical for functional uses including pH regulating agent, Deodorizer, Fragrance.Source →
USFDAmarketed drug occurrenceFDA NDC lists this ingredient in 3 active drug products and 3 total products.
- FDA NDC lists this ingredient in 3 active drug products and 3 total products.Source →
USFDAlisted in openFDA substanceopenFDA substance registry classifies this ingredient as chemical.
- openFDA substance registry classifies this ingredient as chemical.Source →
USUSDA FoodData Centralobserved in branded food ingredient statementsObserved in 1 USDA branded foods including 1.5oz LITEHOUSE CAESAR DRESSING.
- Observed in 1 USDA branded foods including 1.5oz LITEHOUSE CAESAR DRESSING.Source →

Expert safety opinions

Independent scientific assessments cited by the records we hold, with the year and link where the record gives one.

JECFA
Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives
- JECFA evaluation lists ADI 0-30 mg/kg bw. Functional class: flavouring agent, acid, antioxidant synergist, sequestrant, synergist.
  Year not recorded · GLOBAL JECFA listing · Read the source →
EFSA
European Food Safety Authority
- Re-evaluation of L(+)-tartaric acid (E 334), sodium tartrates (E 335), potassium tartrates (E 336), potassium sodium tartrate (E 337) and calcium tartrate (E 354) as food additives (EFSA FAF)
  2020 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →
- Opinion of the Scientific Panel on food additives, flavourings, processing aids and materials in contact with food (AFC) related to L-Carnitine-L-tartrate for use in foods for particular nutritional purposes (EFSA AFC)
  2003 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →

Evidence & sources

No graded research studies for Tartaric acid yet. This record is compiled from the published data sources below — registries and regulatory listings, not study findings.

10 data sources

Where this comes from

EFSA OpenFoodTox
regulatory · updated 2026-10-04
Open →
EPA Chemical and Products Database
exposure · updated September 2018
Open →
EPA DSSTox Identifiers
chemistry · updated 2025-12-29
Open →
FDA Inactive Ingredient Database
regulatory · updated 2026-01-09
Open →
FDA National Drug Code Directory
regulatory · updated 2027-12-31
Open →
FDA GSRS UNII
registry · updated 2026-02-26
Open →
WHO JECFA Database
regulatory · updated 2026-10-04
Open →
openFDA Substance
registry · updated 2026-05-24
Open →
PubChem Live Enrichment
chemistry · updated 2026-05-17
Open →
USDA Branded Foods
product_occurrence · updated 2026-02-19
Open →

Reference links (2)

Openfda substance

codexalimentarius.net

Read →

Openfda substance

apps.who.int

Read →

Suitability

Context-specific fit derived from published classifications and the current ingredient evidence profile.

Food use

Food-use source coverage is present in the current record.

Good fit

The ingredient appears in food-oriented source coverage or allowed-use references, which makes food use easier to support than a context with no domain signal at all.

Fragrance avoidance

Not a strong fit for fragrance avoidance because it carries Fragrance.

Avoid

The ingredient itself is a fragrance-linked signal, so it is better treated as an avoid case when fragrance exposure is the main concern.

Where it has been recorded

How often EPA CPDat has listed Tartaric acid in a product composition. These are source records, not Greenveil catalog products.

Source records

344

Named organisations

Construction and building materialsLaboratory suppliesMedical/dentalIndustrial productsCleaning products and household careArts and crafts/office supplies

Typical roles

Flavouring agent, acid, antioxidant synergist, sequestrant, synergistHumectantpH adjusterFragranceFlavouringStabiliser

See products using Tartaric acid →

Catalog

Found in these products

Their ingredient lists include Tartaric acid; each product's own rating depends on its whole formula, so it is shown on the product page, not here.

See all 126 →Find products without it →