🧪eNumbers.orgSearch Additives

Lactic Acid (E270) — What You Need to Know

Safe(10/10)Natural

The score is an eNumbers.org editorial summary, not an official agency rating or medical advice. Start with the regulatory status and primary sources below.

What Is Lactic Acid?

Lactic acid is a naturally occurring organic acid produced by bacterial fermentation of sugars. It is the characteristic acid of yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, and many other fermented foods. The human body also produces lactic acid naturally during anaerobic muscle metabolism during exercise.

What Is It Used For?

Used as an acidity regulator and flavoring agent in dairy products, fermented foods, beverages, confectionery, and infant formula. Also serves as a preservative by lowering pH to inhibit spoilage organisms.

Function: Acidity regulator, preservative, flavoring agent, pH control
10 mg
Dataset exposure estimate

Exposure figures are population-level references, not personal limits. Actual intake varies by diet, product and jurisdiction.

Regulatory & Editorial Context

📊
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
Not specified mg/kg bw/day
🏛️
Regulatory Status
🇺🇸 USA (FDA): GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe). No usage restrictions.
🇪🇺 EU (EFSA): No ADI needed. Considered safe without a numerical limit. The L(+) form is the biologically preferred form.
⚠️ Key Concerns

Naturally produced during fermentation and is present in many traditional foods (yogurt, cheese, sauerkraut, kimchi). Also produced naturally in the human body during exercise (muscle metabolism). No safety concerns whatsoever. EFSA considers it safe without a numerical ADI. The L(+) form is the biologically natural form; the D(-) form is metabolized more slowly. Food-grade lactic acid is typically a mixture or the L(+) form.

Editorial context score

eNumbers.org currently assigns Lactic Acid an editorial context label of Safe with a score of 10/10. This is 1.2 points above the database average for acidity regulators (8.8/10). Dataset reference year: 2018.

This score is not issued by EFSA, FDA, WHO or another regulator.

Commonly Found In

YogurtSauerkrautPicklesBreadBeerConfectioneryInfant formula
Example brands:
DanoneActivia

Always check the label for E270 or 'Lactic Acid'

▶Chemical Information
Formula: C3H6O3
Molecular Weight: 90.08 g/mol
CAS Number: 50-21-5
INS Number: 270
Also known as: E270, INS 270, 2-Hydroxypropanoic acid, Milk acid

Frequently Asked Questions about Lactic Acid

Current dataset status: FDA — GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe). No usage restrictions.; EFSA/EU — No ADI needed. Considered safe without a numerical limit. The L(+) form is the biologically preferred form.. Reported concerns: Naturally produced during fermentation and is present in many traditional foods (yogurt, cheese, sauerkraut, kimchi). Also produced naturally in the human body during exercise (muscle metabolism). No safety concerns whatsoever. EFSA considers it safe without a numerical ADI. The L(+) form is the biologically natural form; the D(-) form is metabolized more slowly. Food-grade lactic acid is typically a mixture or the L(+) form. Regulatory status and individual risk are not the same; check the primary sources and permitted conditions of use.

Quick Facts

E-Number
E270
INS Number
270
Category
Acidity Regulators
Origin
Natural
FDA Status
GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe). No usage restrictions.
EFSA Status
No ADI needed. Considered safe without a numerical limit. The L(+) form is the biologically preferred form.
ADI
Not specified mg/kg bw/day
Dataset Review
2018
Ingredient-level Dietary Notes
Vegan: ✅ YesHalal: ✅ YesKosher: ✅ YesGluten-Free: ✅ Yes

Carriers, processing aids and product certification can change suitability. Verify the final label and certifier.

Quick Links

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for health-related decisions.

Related Additives

Other acidity regulators in the same family

Citric Acid (E330)Acetic Acid (E260)Sodium Lactate (E325)Calcium Lactate (E327)