E-numbers / Acidity regulators / E335
also: Monosodium tartrate · Disodium tartrate · Sodium salt of tartaric acid
The sodium salt of tartaric acid, a natural fruit acid. Used to control acidity and stabilise texture in processed foods.
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Sodium tartrates are the sodium salts of tartaric acid, a naturally occurring organic acid found in grapes, tamarinds and other fruits.
Sodium tartrates are the sodium salts of tartaric acid, a naturally occurring organic acid found in grapes, tamarinds and other fruits. They exist in two forms: monosodium tartrate (E335i) and disodium tartrate (E335ii). In food use, they are white crystalline powders that dissolve readily in water.
As an acidity regulator, sodium tartrates buffer the pH of a product, keeping it stable during manufacture, storage and heating. They also act as sequestrants, binding trace metal ions that would otherwise catalyse oxidation or discolouration. In some applications they improve the texture and set of gels and emulsions.
Found in confectionery, jams and preserves, baked goods, soft drinks, and some dairy desserts. They are also used in wine stabilisation and certain dietary supplement tablets. On a UK ingredient label the additive appears as 'sodium tartrates', 'E335', 'monosodium tartrate' or 'disodium tartrate'.
Tartrate is handled by the kidneys, and at very high supplemental doses there is theoretical concern about oxalate or tartrate crystallisation in people already prone to kidney stones. Food-level intake is far below the doses studied. No clinical evidence links normal dietary exposure to kidney stone risk.
Tartaric acid is metabolised in the body; the kidney excretes tartrate, and at pharmacological doses animal studies have noted renal tubular effects, but these are not observed at dietary exposure levels.
Disodium tartrate contributes sodium to the diet. In processed foods where multiple sodium-containing additives are used alongside sodium from salt, cumulative sodium intake is a relevant consideration for people managing blood pressure or cardiovascular risk.
NHS and SACN guidance caps sodium intake at 2.4g per day (equivalent to 6g salt). Sodium from additives such as sodium tartrates counts toward this total, though the amounts contributed at typical use levels are small.
EFSA completed a full re-evaluation of tartrate-based additives in 2014 and concluded there was no reason for safety concern at current use levels. No numerical acceptable daily intake was considered necessary because the substance is an ordinary constituent of fruit and is metabolised by normal pathways.
EFSA established that there was no safety concern for the use of sodium tartrates as food additives at the reported use levels and set no numerical ADI, concluding the group ADI 'not specified' was appropriate.
People on a medically supervised low-sodium diet should note that disodium tartrate (E335ii) contributes sodium. Those with a history of kidney stones may wish to discuss high intake of tartrate-containing foods with their GP. Look for 'E335', 'sodium tartrates', 'monosodium tartrate' or 'disodium tartrate' on the label.
Sodium tartrates are among the most straightforwardly characterised acidity regulators in use. They derive from tartaric acid, a compound that has been present in food (especially wine and grapes) throughout human history. The 2014 EFSA re-evaluation, which covered the full group of tartrate additives, found no evidence of concern at dietary exposure levels and saw no need to set a numerical daily intake limit. The only practical considerations are the sodium contribution from the disodium form and theoretical questions about very high tartrate intake in people with existing kidney conditions, neither of which is supported by clinical evidence at food-level exposures.
No. Sodium tartrates are approved food additives in the UK under the FSA approved-additives list and assimilated EU Regulation 1333/2008.
Sodium tartrates are not derived from any of the 14 declarable allergens under UK food law and carry no allergen declarations. They are derived from tartaric acid, which originates primarily from grapes, but the purified additive does not carry grape protein.
Confectionery, jams and preserves, baked goods, soft drinks, dairy desserts and some dietary supplements. Check ingredient lists for 'E335', 'sodium tartrates', 'monosodium tartrate' or 'disodium tartrate'.
Yes. Sodium tartrates are produced synthetically from tartaric acid (commonly derived from winemaking by-products) and contain no animal-derived ingredients.
Last reviewed: 20 June 2026
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