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E355 Adipic Acid – Food Additive

E355 is the EU food additive code for adipic acid, an organic acid used as an acidulant and acidity regulator in various food products.

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Things worth knowing about "E355"

E355 is the EU food additive code for adipic acid, an organic acid used as an acidulant and acidity regulator in various food products.

What is E355 (Adipic Acid)?

E355 refers to adipic acid, an organic dicarboxylic acid approved as a food additive in the European Union. While it occurs naturally in small amounts in some foods, it is produced synthetically for industrial use. Under EU food law, it is classified as an acidulant and acidity regulator.

Chemical Properties

Adipic acid is a straight-chain aliphatic dicarboxylic acid with the chemical formula C₆H₁₀O₄. At room temperature, it appears as a white crystalline powder and is moderately soluble in water. Its mild, pleasant sour taste makes it a valuable ingredient in food technology.

Uses in Food

As a food additive, E355 serves several technological functions:

Acidulant: Imparts a mild, pleasant sour taste to food products.
Acidity regulator: Helps stabilize and control the pH of food products.
Gelling aid: Can assist in the production of jellies and gelled products.
Leavening agent component: Used in baking powder mixtures as the acid component to release carbon dioxide.

Typical applications include baked goods, dessert powders, beverage powders, gelling sugar, chewing gum, and certain meat and cheese preparations.

Metabolism and Tolerability

Adipic acid is metabolized in the human body through normal fat metabolism pathways. It is a natural intermediate in lipid metabolism and is broken down into carbon dioxide and water. At typical dietary intake levels, E355 is considered well tolerated. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has not established a specific Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) for adipic acid, as it is considered substantially safe under normal conditions of use.

Safety and Regulatory Status

E355 is authorized in the European Union under Regulation (EC) No. 1333/2008 on food additives. EFSA has assessed adipic acid as safe when used in the approved food categories and at the specified levels. At very high intake amounts, excessive consumption of adipic acid could theoretically place a burden on renal metabolism; however, this is not relevant at normal dietary levels. Individuals with rare inherited metabolic disorders such as glutaric aciduria type II should consult their physician, as these conditions may impair the breakdown of adipic acid.

Labeling

Foods containing E355 must declare this in the ingredient list in accordance with EU labeling regulations, either as E355 or as adipic acid.

References

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA): Scientific Opinion on the safety of adipic acid as a food additive. EFSA Journal, 2014.
European Parliament and Council of the EU: Regulation (EC) No. 1333/2008 on food additives. Official Journal of the European Union, 2008.
Biesalski, H.K. et al.: Pocket Atlas of Nutrition. Georg Thieme Verlag, 7th edition, 2020.

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