YenzoWhat is E353 (metatartaric acid)?
Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT lists the functions of metatartaric acid as acidity regulator, emulsifier, stabilizer and thickener.
E353Metatartaric acid
E353 is metatartaric acid, a substance made from tartaric acid. In food it adjusts acidity and helps keep products stable.
Did you know? In Appendix 2B of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, INS 353 has a single entry: grape wine, at the GMP level (good manufacturing practice).
- Code
- E353 · INS 353
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 E353 appears on labels
IngredientsIllustrative example
Wheat flour, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, acidity regulator (353), dried onion and garlic, pepper, natural colour (160a).
acidity regulator (353)acidity regulator 353E353INS 353On Vietnamese labels: Acid metatartaric
Metatartaric acid in food
Grape wine
Questions about metatartaric acid
Is metatartaric acid harmful?
In 2020 EFSA concluded that metatartaric acid (E 353) falls under the group ADI of 240 mg/kg body weight per day, expressed as tartaric acid, for L(+)-tartaric acid and tartrates (E 334–E 337, E 354), on the presumption that it is fully hydrolysed to L(+)-tartaric acid before it is absorbed. EFSA also concluded that there is no safety concern at the reported use and use level.
Is Metatartaric acid permitted in Vietnam?
Yes. Metatartaric acid (INS 353) is listed in Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, the list of additives permitted in food.
Other acidity regulators
E350Sodium malatesvery lowE351Potassium malatevery lowE352Calcium malatesvery lowE354Calcium tartratevery lowE355Adipic acidvery lowE356Sodium adipatevery low
See all acidity regulators →Updated 21 October 2026
Sources (4)
- 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:e353)
- Thông tư 24/2019/TT-BYT (văn bản hợp nhất 09/VBHN-BYT), Phụ lục 2B: nhóm thực phẩm được phép dùng INS 353
- EFSA Journal (2020). Re-evaluation of metatartaric acid (E 353) as a food additive
- Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives (consolidated text of 18.08.2026): Article 16 and Annex II, Part E, category 13.1 (foods for infants and young children)