E350Sodium malates

E350 covers the sodium malates, sodium salts of malic acid: sodium hydrogen DL-malate (350(i)) and sodium DL-malate (350(ii)). In food they adjust acidity and hold moisture.

Code: E350 · INS 350
Group: Acidity regulator, Humectant

In Vietnam✓ PermittedOn the list of permitted additives — Circular 24/2019, Appendix 1

Risk level on the Yenzo Scalevery low?Based on the Open Food Facts additives taxonomy

How E350 appears on labels

IngredientsIllustrative example

Wheat flour, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, acidity regulator (350), dried onion and garlic, pepper, natural colour (160a).

acidity regulator (350)acidity regulator 350E350INS 350

INS sub-codes

INS 350(i)Sodium hydrogen DL-malate

INS 350(ii)Sodium DL-malate

Sources: Codex CXG 36-1989, Class Names and the International Numbering System (INS)

Sodium malates in food

Fermented vegetables

Fresh pasta and noodles

Frozen battered fish Fried or cooked fish products Smoked, dried, fermented or salted fish Coffee, tea and herbal drinks

Questions about sodium malates

What is E350 (sodium malates)?

Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT lists two functions for both sodium malates: acidity regulator and humectant.

Is sodium malate harmful?

The JECFA database (the FAO/WHO expert committee) records an evaluation from 1982: an ADI of “not specified” (no numerical ADI is needed) for sodium hydrogen DL-malate, included in the group ADI for DL-malic acid and its sodium, potassium and calcium salts.

Is Sodium DL-malate permitted in Vietnam?

Yes. Sodium hydrogen DL-malate (INS 350(i)) and sodium DL-malate (INS 350(ii)) are listed in Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, the list of additives permitted in food.

Other acidity regulators

E351Potassium malatevery low E352Calcium malatesvery low E353Metatartaric acidvery low E354Calcium tartratevery low E355Adipic acidvery low E356Sodium adipatevery low

See all acidity regulators →

Updated 23 October 2026

How Yenzo scores

Sources (3)

Open Food Facts additives taxonomy (Yenzo's table cites no EFSA opinion for this code). Open Food Facts additives taxonomy, https://github.com/openfoodfacts/openfoodfacts-server/blob/main/taxonomies/additives.txt (entry en:e350)
Thông tư 24/2019/TT-BYT (văn bản hợp nhất 09/VBHN-BYT), Phụ lục 2A: nhóm thực phẩm được phép dùng INS 350(ii)
JECFA (FAO/WHO) evaluation database: Sodium hydrogen DL-malate, INS 350(i)

Information only, not medical advice. The risk level is the additive's class in Yenzo's open scoring method, based on the cited source.