# Succinic Acid (E363)

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**Safety rating:** SAFE
**E-number:** E363
**CAS number:** 110-15-6
**Category:** flavoring
**FDA GRAS:** no
**Adverse events (FDA AERS):** 0
**FDA recalls:** 0
**Last updated:** 2026-04-04

## Summary

Succinic acid is an organic compound naturally found in living organisms that functions as a flavor enhancer and pH control agent in food products. It is used to add tartness and help regulate acidity in various food and beverage applications.

## Regulatory status

| Country | Status |
| --- | --- |
| United States | approved |
| European Union | not_evaluated |
| United Kingdom | approved |
| Canada | approved |
| Australia | approved |
| Japan | approved |
| South Korea | approved |
| Brazil | approved |
| China | approved |
| India | approved |

## Detailed analysis

## What is Succinic Acid?

Succinic acid (CAS Number: 110-15-6) is a four-carbon dicarboxylic acid that occurs naturally in the human body as part of the citric acid cycle and in various foods including grapes, rhubarb, and legumes. Chemically, it is also known as butanedioic acid. The compound can be produced synthetically through chemical processes or derived through fermentation methods.

## Common Uses

In food applications, succinic acid serves primarily as a flavor enhancer and pH control agent. It is used in beverages, confectionery, baked goods, and other food products to impart a tart or sour taste and to adjust acidity levels. The compound enhances flavor profiles and can improve the stability of certain food formulations. Its use allows manufacturers to achieve desired taste characteristics while maintaining proper pH ranges for product preservation and safety.

Succinic acid is also utilized in various non-food industrial applications, including pharmaceuticals and chemical manufacturing.

## Safety Assessment

Succinic acid demonstrates a favorable safety profile based on available evidence. The FDA has recorded zero adverse events associated with succinic acid and zero recalls linked to this additive, indicating no documented safety incidents in the U.S. food supply.

The compound's safety is supported by its natural occurrence in the human body and food sources. It is metabolized similarly to other organic acids and does not accumulate in tissues at typical dietary intake levels. Animal and human studies have not identified significant toxicological concerns at food additive use levels.

Typical exposure to succinic acid through food consumption is considerably lower than amounts that might produce adverse effects in toxicological studies. The extensive history of use in food products across multiple countries has not raised significant safety signals.

## Regulatory Status

While succinic acid is not officially listed as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) by the FDA, it is approved for use in food in several jurisdictions. In the European Union, succinic acid is approved as a food additive (E363) and is listed in the EU's positive list for food additives. This indicates regulatory acceptance based on safety assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

The absence of an official FDA GRAS determination does not indicate safety concerns; rather, it reflects variations in regulatory pathways and approval mechanisms between different food regulatory systems. Many additives approved in other jurisdictions operate safely without formal FDA GRAS status.

## Key Studies

Scientific literature on succinic acid supports its use as a food additive with minimal toxicological concern. The compound's role in normal human metabolism suggests inherent safety at typical dietary levels. Studies examining organic acids as food additives have consistently shown that succinic acid does not present acute or chronic toxicity concerns at food use concentrations.

Research on the citric acid cycle demonstrates that succinic acid is an endogenous compound, meaning the body produces it naturally during normal cellular metabolism. This endogenous production provides context for understanding that exogenous dietary exposure represents an addition to the body's natural levels of the compound.

The lack of adverse event reports and product recalls associated with succinic acid in U.S. food safety databases further supports the safety of this additive in food applications.

## Brands using Succinic Acid

- Nissin (9 products)
- Kikkoman (4 products)
- Jimmy Dean (3 products)
- NISSIN (2 products)
- Campbell's Chunky (1 product)
- HOT POCKETS (1 product)
- KIKKOMAN (1 product)
- Lean Cuisine (1 product)
- Nongshim (1 product)
- SHIN RAMYUN (1 product)
- Safeway, Inc. (1 product)
- The Moran Group Incorporated (1 product)
- maggi (1 product)

## Sources

- FDA Substances Added to Food (CFSAN)
- OpenFDA Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS)
- OpenFDA Food Recalls
- EFSA OpenFoodTox
- EU Food Additive Portal

## Citation

Additive Facts. "Succinic Acid (E363) — Safety, regulation, and evidence." https://additivefacts.com/additives/succinic-acid. Accessed 2026-05-20.