Acidity Regulator · CAS 6915-15-7 · EU E296
Malic Acid
FDA status: GRAS. EU: Approved. No U.S. state has enacted a specific ban yet.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Malic Acid is classified GRAS by the FDA, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it independently of federal policy. Its composite safety score is 5 out of 5 (Generally Safe), and the European Union separately classifies it as approved. By tracked product count it ranks #15 of 417.
- #15 of 417 by tracked product prevalence
The verdict
Malic Acid is classified GRAS by the FDA, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it. By Open Food Facts product count it sits #15 of 417 among additives with tracked product presence (96th percentile).
- 5/5
- Generally Safe
- GRAS
- FDA status
- #15 of 417
- product-prevalence rank
- 0
- state regulations
Product-footprint and regulatory snapshot
Malic Acid: 2,746 tracked U.S. products (common band, #15 of 417) frame how often this additive appears on shelves.
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Tracked Products | 2,746 · #15 of 417 | Open Food Facts (US) |
| FDA Status | GRAS | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Approved | EC 1333/2008 |
| E-Number | E296 | EU additive register |
| CAS Number | 6915-15-7 | CAS Registry |
| Category | Acidity Regulator | FDA functional class |
| Composite Safety Score | 5 / 5 (Generally Safe) | 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 Malic Acid?
Natural acid found in apples.
Common Uses
Shelf-footprint peer axes
Nationwide peers for a common OFF footprint
Nearest OFF product-count peers (2,746 tracked here); safety-score column omitted on prevalence-led pages.
Nearest OFF product count to 2,746
Nearest other additives by Open Food Facts product count (floored at ≥50).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Malic Acid safe to consume?
Malic Acid scores 5/5 (Generally Safe). FDA status is GRAS. On the Open Food Facts U.S. sample it is a common additive (2,746 tracked products, #15 of 417), so product footprint, not just the score label, frames how widely a shopper will meet it.
What is Malic Acid used for in food?
Malic Acid shows up as Candy, fruit drinks, wine in the Acidity Regulator class, and the OFF sample puts it in the common footprint band (2,746 products).
Where does Malic Acid sit among food additives PlainIngredients tracks?
Among additives with at least one tracked product, it ranks #15 of 417 by Open Food Facts product count. See /methodology#corpus-placement for the ranking bases.
What is the difference between FDA and EU regulation of Malic Acid?
The FDA classifies Malic Acid as "GRAS" while the EU status is "Approved" (E296). The EU often applies the precautionary principle, sometimes restricting additives that remain approved in the US.