A mild organic acid used for pH control and mild preservation, common in dairy and fermented products. Available in food-grade L(+) and racemic DL forms.

Physical state

Liquid

Solubility

Miscible with water

Odour

Odourless to faintly acidic

Typical usage level

0.1-1.0% of finished product weight

Regulatory overview

EU and US regulatory context

EU Context

Regulation: Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008; purity criteria under Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012
E-number: E270
Status: Authorised food additive
Key standard: Confirm current Ph. Eur. / FCC monograph specification with the supplier.

US Context

FDA status: GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe)
CFR reference: Pending. Confirm exact citation before publishing to a client-facing document.
Common declaration: Lactic Acid
Notes: Pending

Functions & applications

Acidulant / mild preservative

Technical function	What it does
pH control	Adjusts and buffers finished-product pH within a target range.
mild antimicrobial effect	Contributes modest inhibition of spoilage organisms.
flavour modification	Adjusts flavour balance in fermented or dairy systems.

Recommended applications

Dairy

Acidulant / mild preservative

Meat processing

Acidulant / mild preservative

Beverages

Acidulant / mild preservative

Pickled products

Acidulant / mild preservative

Specifications

Technical specification

Appearance	Colourless to pale yellow liquid
Colour	Colourless to pale yellow liquid
Odour	Odourless to faintly acidic
Solubility	Miscible with water
Moisture	Pending
Assay	Min. 80% or 88%, grade-dependent
pH	Pending
Lead (heavy metals)	Pending. Confirm against the current supplier CoA.
Arsenic (heavy metals)	Pending. Confirm against the current supplier CoA.
Cadmium (heavy metals)	Pending. Confirm against the current supplier CoA.
Mercury (heavy metals)	Pending. Confirm against the current supplier CoA.
Total plate count	Pending. Confirm against the current supplier CoA.
Salmonella	Pending. Confirm against the current supplier CoA.
E. coli	Pending. Confirm against the current supplier CoA.
Yeast & mould	Pending. Confirm against the current supplier CoA.
Packaging	225kg net drums or IBC totes, depending on order volume
Shelf life	12 months from production date, unopened
Storage	Store in a cool place, away from direct sunlight. Refer to the supplier datasheet for temperature-controlled grades.

Values marked "Pending" require confirmation against the current supplier CoA before being issued to a client.

Compliance

Legal & compliance notes

Allergen status: Does not contain any of the 14 major EU allergens.
GMO status: Produced by fermentation of a carbohydrate feedstock; confirm feedstock origin with the supplier for a non-GMO claim.
Irradiation: Not irradiated.
Halal / Kosher: Typically available. Confirm certification with the specific supplier.

Critical QC checkpoints: Assay, Optical rotation (L(+) vs D(-) ratio), Heavy metals.

CN code (8-digit)	Pending
TARIC (10-digit)	Pending
EU import duty	Pending
Anti-dumping measure	None on file

Lactic Acid

EU and US regulatory context

Acidulant / mild preservative

Recommended applications

Technical specification

Legal & compliance notes

Import classification data

Also in Acidulants

Lactic Acid

EU and US regulatory context

Acidulant / mild preservative

Recommended applications

Technical specification

Legal & compliance notes

Import classification data

Also in Acidulants

Citric Acid

Malic Acid

Tartaric Acid

Fumaric Acid