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E336 – Potassium Tartrates: Uses and Safety

E336 refers to potassium tartrates, the potassium salts of tartaric acid, used as acidity regulators and stabilisers in food products.

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Things worth knowing about "E336"

E336 refers to potassium tartrates, the potassium salts of tartaric acid, used as acidity regulators and stabilisers in food products.

What is E336?

E336 is the European food additive designation for potassium tartrates, which are the potassium salts of tartaric acid. The code covers two related compounds:

E336(i) – Monopotassium tartrate (also known as cream of tartar or potassium hydrogen tartrate)
E336(ii) – Dipotassium tartrate (potassium tartrate)

These substances occur naturally in grapes and in smaller amounts in other fruits. They are a by-product of wine production, forming as crystals on the walls and bottom of wine barrels and tanks when tartaric acid reacts with potassium.

Origin and Production

Potassium tartrates are primarily obtained as a by-product of the wine industry. The crystalline deposits known as wine lees or argol are collected from wine vessels, purified, and processed into food-grade additives. Both naturally derived and synthetically produced forms are used in the food industry.

Use in Food Products

E336 is used in the food industry for several technological purposes:

Acidity regulator: Adjusts and maintains the pH level in foods and beverages
Stabiliser: Prevents unwanted chemical changes in food products
Leavening agent: Monopotassium tartrate (cream of tartar) is used in baking powder, where it reacts with sodium bicarbonate to produce carbon dioxide, helping dough and batters rise
Emulsifier: Supports the even distribution of fats and water in food products
Confectionery aid: Cream of tartar stabilises whipped egg whites and prevents sugar syrups from crystallising

Typical foods containing E336 include baked goods, confectionery, jams, jellies, beverages, and certain dairy products.

Safety and Health Assessment

Potassium tartrates are considered safe and are approved by relevant regulatory authorities. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has not established a numerical ADI (Acceptable Daily Intake) value for E336, indicating that these compounds are considered safe for consumption at the levels used in food.

E336 is well tolerated and is fully metabolised in the body
No significant allergic reactions have been reported
Even individuals with wine intolerance rarely react to purified potassium tartrate, as the triggering substances found in wine (such as sulphites or biogenic amines) are absent
At very high intakes, the elevated potassium content may be relevant for individuals with kidney disease, as impaired kidney function can limit potassium excretion

Labelling and Regulation

In the European Union, E336 is authorised under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives. It must be declared in the ingredient list of food products either as E336 or by its specific name, such as potassium tartrate, monopotassium tartrate, or dipotassium tartrate.

References

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA): Re-evaluation of tartaric acid (E334), sodium tartrates (E335), potassium tartrates (E336), potassium sodium tartrate (E337) and calcium tartrate (E354) as food additives. EFSA Journal, 2020.
European Parliament and Council of the EU: Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives. Official Journal of the European Union, 2008.
Carocho, M. et al.: Adding molecules to food, pros and cons: A review on synthetic and natural food additives. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, 2014.

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