Food Additive · EU 620
Glutamic Acid
FDA status: Approved. EU: Approved. No U.S. state has enacted a specific ban yet.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Glutamic Acid is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it independently of federal policy. Its composite safety score is 4 out of 5 (Low Risk), and the European Union separately classifies it as approved. By tracked product count it ranks #207 of 417.
- #207 of 417 by tracked product prevalence
The verdict
Glutamic Acid is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it. By Open Food Facts product count it sits #207 of 417 among additives with tracked product presence (50th percentile).
- 4/5
- Low Risk
- Approved
- FDA status
- #207 of 417
- product-prevalence rank
- 0
- state regulations
Product-footprint and regulatory snapshot
Glutamic Acid: 16 tracked U.S. products (moderate band, #207 of 417) frame how often this additive appears on shelves.
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Tracked Products | 16 · #207 of 417 | Open Food Facts (US) |
| FDA Status | Approved | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Approved | EC 1333/2008 |
| E-Number | 620 | EU additive register |
| CAS Number | - | CAS Registry |
| Category | Food Additive | FDA functional class |
| Composite Safety Score | 4 / 5 (Low Risk) | PlainIngredients methodology |
| EFSA ADI | Not established | EFSA scientific opinion |
| U.S. State Actions | 0 states | State legislative records |
Values reflect official agency classifications as published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Union's regulatory framework. See our methodology for scoring details.
What is Glutamic Acid?
Glutamic Acid is a food additive (620) classified as food additive.
Health Concerns
- EFSA evaluation: Scientific Opinion on the safety of the change in the production method of L-glutamic acid -E620-, monosodium L-glutamate -E621-, monopotassium L-glut. Flagged by ANSES (French food safety agency) as additive of interest
Common Uses
Shelf-footprint peer axes
Nationwide peers for a moderate OFF footprint
Nearest OFF product-count peers (16 tracked here); safety-score column omitted on prevalence-led pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Glutamic Acid safe to consume?
Glutamic Acid scores 4/5 (Low Risk). FDA status is Approved. On the Open Food Facts U.S. sample it is a moderate additive (16 tracked products, #207 of 417), so product footprint, not just the score label, frames how widely a shopper will meet it.
What is Glutamic Acid used for in food?
Glutamic Acid shows up as Various processed foods in the Food Additive class, and the OFF sample puts it in the moderate footprint band (16 products).
Where does Glutamic Acid sit among food additives PlainIngredients tracks?
Among additives with at least one tracked product, it ranks #207 of 417 by Open Food Facts product count. See /methodology#corpus-placement for the ranking bases.
What health concerns are associated with Glutamic Acid?
Research has identified the following health concerns for Glutamic Acid: EFSA evaluation: Scientific Opinion on the safety of the change in the production method of L-glutamic acid -E620-, monosodium L-glutamate -E621-, monopotassium L-glut. Flagged by ANSES (French food safety agency) as additive of interest. These findings inform its safety score of 4/5. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance, especially if you have pre-existing conditions.