E334Antioxidant · Sequestrant
L(+)-tartaric acid
What the research shows
PrototypeNot enough
published research on this page yet
1 health finding on this page so far · See the findings
What research says
Studies in people
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Open question
Food poisoning bacteria on chicken3
Tartaric acid in chicken marinade reduced Listeria bacteria, and tasters still liked the chicken.
How it’s made and used
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Food additive exposure limits4
Scientists set a safe daily amount for tartaric acid, and usual intakes stay below it.
The signal at the top counts the findings in people and in animal and lab studies. A concern in studies of people outranks animal and lab studies, and “No concerns” needs at least two findings in people. Findings whose study type is not stated are shown but not counted. This page is a reference, not medical advice. It describes what regulators and published research say. Talk to a doctor or dietitian about your own diet.
Regulatory status
Checked Sep 2026-
United States Permitted FDA 21 CFR 184.1099
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European Union Permitted EUR-Lex Reg. (EC) 1333/2008
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United Kingdom Permitted FSA retained EU law
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Canada Permitted Health Canada · Adjusting Agents
Status reflects the named register on the date checked. It is not a safety rating.
How we checkProducts
The 6 most-scanned of 2,783 products on Open Food Facts that list l(+)-tartaric acid.
- Momo black Excelo · 36 g 6 additives
- Lay's Potato Chips Lay's · 50 g 3 additives
- Ciabatta Schär · 200 g 3 additives
- Cake marbré chocolat Schär · 250 g 7 additives
- Starmix HARIBO · 175 g 6 additives
- Breakfast Muffins Warburtons · 256 g (4) 5 additives
References
- 1L(+)-tartaric acid: ingredient taxonomy entry. Open Food Facts.
- 2Tartaric acid. Wikipedia. Accessed September 25, 2026.
- 3Over KF, Hettiarachchy NS, Perumalla AV, et al. Antilisterial activity and consumer acceptance of irradiated chicken breast meat vacuum-infused with grape seed and green tea extracts and tartaric acid. J Food Sci. 2010;75(7):M455-61. doi:10.1111/j.1750-3841.2010.01727.x
- 4Younes M, Aquilina G, Castle L, et al. 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 J. 2020;18(3):e06030. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2020.6030