Acid Ingredients

We've indexed 49 acid ingredients. Of those, 49 confirmed vegan. Use this hub to look up any acid on a label and find vegan alternatives where needed.

What are acid ingredients?

Food acids regulate pH, enhance flavor, and act as preservatives. Citric, malic, ascorbic, and acetic acids are typically vegan. A few — like stearic acid or certain lactic acid sources — can be animal-derived.

Acid at a glance

Commonly found in

WineFruit juicesSour candiesBaking powderSoft drinksFruit drinksPreservesPuddingsSparkling wineGelatin-free dessertsCandiesDietary supplements

All acid ingredients (49)

Adipic Acid

Vegan

A synthetic organic acid used as a flavoring agent and a gelling aid.

Adipic Acid

Vegan

An organic acid used primarily as a flavoring agent and a gelling aid in desserts.

Adipic Acid (E355)

Vegan

An organic acid used as a flavoring agent and a gelling aid.

Ammonium Acetate

Vegan

Acidity regulator.

Ammonium Adipate

Vegan

The ammonium salt of adipic acid used as an acidity regulator.

Ammonium Citrates

Vegan

The ammonium salts of citric acid, used as acidity regulators.

Calcium Hydrogen Malate

Vegan

A calcium salt of malic acid used as an acidity regulator.

Calcium Malate

Vegan

A calcium salt of malic acid, used as an acidity regulator and calcium supplement.

Calcium Malates

Vegan

The calcium salt of malic acid, used as an acidity regulator.

Calcium Silicate

Vegan

A white, free-flowing powder used to prevent clumping in dry food products.

Calcium tartrate

Vegan

A byproduct of the winemaking industry, used as an acidity regulator and preservative.

Calcium Tartrate

Vegan

A salt used as an acidity regulator and preservative, obtained from the winemaking industry.

Calcium Tartrate (E354)

Vegan

A salt used as a preservative and acidity regulator.

Citric Acid (E330)

Vegan

A weak organic acid used as a natural preservative and to add a sour taste.

Cream of Tartar

Vegan

A powdery acidic byproduct of winemaking, used in baking and stabilizing egg whites.

Dicalcium Phosphate

Vegan

A calcium salt used as a dietary supplement and an anti-caking agent in cereals and pasta.

E270 (Lactic acid)

Vegan

Used as a preservative and flavoring agent to add a sour taste to foods.

Fumaric Acid

Vegan

A naturally occurring acid in many fruits and mushrooms, used as an acidity regulator and to enhance flavor.

Fumaric Acid (E297)

Vegan

Acidity regulator.

Gluconic Acid

Vegan

An organic acid used as an acidity regulator and leavening agent.

Gluconic Acid

Vegan

An organic acid used as an acidity regulator and leavening agent.

Glucono Delta-Lactone

Vegan

A naturally occurring food additive used as a sequestrant, an acidifier, or a curing agent.

Hydrochloric Acid

Vegan

A strong acid used to adjust pH in food and to produce glucose from starch.

Malic Acid

Vegan

An organic compound that provides the pleasantly sour, tart taste associated with green apples.

Malic Acid (E296)

Vegan

An organic acid that provides a sour or tart taste to foods and beverages. It is also used as a flavor enhancer and pH adjuster.

Malic Acid (E296)

Vegan

Sour flavoring.

Metatartaric acid

Vegan

A compound used in winemaking to prevent the precipitation of tartar crystals.

Metatartaric Acid

Vegan

A compound used in winemaking to prevent crystals from forming in the bottle.

Metatartaric Acid

Vegan

A wine stabilizer used to prevent the precipitation of crystals.

Phosphoric Acid

Vegan

A strong mineral acid used to give colas a tangy flavor.

Potassium Adipate

Vegan

The potassium salt of adipic acid used as an acidity regulator.

Potassium Adipate

Vegan

The potassium salt of adipic acid, used as an acidity regulator.

Potassium Carbonate

Vegan

A white salt used primarily in the production of cocoa and wine to regulate acidity.

Potassium Gluconate

Vegan

The potassium salt of gluconic acid, used as a mineral supplement and an acidity regulator.

Potassium Gluconate

Vegan

An acidity regulator.

Potassium Hydrogen Malate

Vegan

A potassium salt of malic acid used to regulate acidity.

Potassium Malates

Vegan

The potassium salt of malic acid, used to balance acidity in foods.

Sodium Adipate

Vegan

The sodium salt of adipic acid, used to control acidity in food.

Sodium Adipate

Vegan

The sodium salt of adipic acid, used to regulate acidity in foods.

Sodium Carbonate

Vegan

A mineral salt used as an acidity regulator, anti-caking agent, and raising agent.

Sodium Hydrogen Malate

Vegan

A sodium salt of malic acid used as an acidity regulator.

Sodium Malate

Vegan

A sodium salt of malic acid used to balance acidity in beverages and sweets.

Sodium Malates

Vegan

The sodium salts of malic acid, used as an acidity regulator and flavoring.

Sodium Phosphates (E339)

Vegan

A group of mineral salts used as leavening agents, emulsifiers, sequestrants, and pH regulators in a wide range of processed foods.

Succinic Acid

Vegan

A dicarboxylic acid used as a flavoring agent and acidity regulator to provide a tart, slightly bitter taste.

Tartaric Acid

Vegan

A white, crystalline organic acid that occurs naturally in many fruits, most notably in grapes.

Tartaric Acid (E334)

Vegan

A naturally occurring organic acid found in many plants, particularly grapes. It is used as an acidulant, antioxidant, and leavening agent in foods.

Triammonium Citrate

Vegan

An acidity regulator.

Tricalcium Phosphate

Vegan

A mineral salt used to fortify foods with calcium and as an anti-caking agent to prevent clumping in powders.

Frequently asked about acid

Are all acid ingredients vegan?

Yes — every acid ingredient indexed on our site (49 total) is confirmed vegan.

How do I spot acid ingredients on a food label?

Look for the substance name or its E-number. Common acid E-numbers include E355, E355, E355, E264, E359. When in doubt, check the manufacturer's vegan certification or contact them directly.