Food & Beverage
The original and largest use. Lower-cost acidulant in fruit drinks, dairy, candy, and bakery.
- Fruit juice drinks (3:5 vs citric)
- Gelatin desserts & pie fillings
- Jellies, jams, maraschino cherries
- Wine — TTB-approved acidulant to 0.3%
Mon–Fri 8AM–5PM CT · Same-day shipment available
FCC · E297 · CAS 110-17-8
Food-Grade Fumaric Acid
The high-efficiency food acid. Non-hygroscopic. 99.6% minimum purity. Two pounds of fumaric replaces three pounds of citric — about 50% lower acidulant cost with no detectable flavor difference. Stocked at Kraft Chemical's warehouse for same-day shipment.
FDA Registered
EU Approved (E297)
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Since 1935Trusted ingredients supplier
Overview
One of nature's most widely found organic acids
Fumaric acid (HO₂C-CH=CH-CO₂H) occurs naturally in fruits, fungi, plant leaves, and as a key intermediate in mammalian metabolism. Produced commercially via isomerization of maleic acid.
A white crystalline solid that performs as a food acidulant, pH regulator, antioxidant synergist, and industrial intermediate. Non-hygroscopic and chemically stable — it can be stored indefinitely at room temperature without caking or degrading the flavor of the dry-mix products it's blended into.
Fumaric acid is a stronger acid than citric (K₁ of 9.51×10⁻⁴ vs citric's 8.2×10⁻⁴), which is why so little is needed. Food processors have used it since 1946 in fruit juice drinks, gelatin desserts, pie fillings, refrigerated biscuit doughs, rye breads, jelling aids, and wine — typically cutting acidulant cost by half compared to citric, tartaric, or malic.
Kraft Chemical has been representing fumaric acid to the U.S. food industry since the chemistry was first commercialized. Both granular and fine-crystal grades are stocked for same-day shipment, with full COA available on every lot.
Why Fumaric
Three reasons formulators switch
Documented from decades of food-processor adoption — every claim is testable against your own batch.
~50%
Lower acidulant cost
Two pounds of fumaric replaces three pounds of citric, tartaric, or malic in most formulations. Taste panels detect no flavor difference on substitution. Lower per-pound price plus less material used.
0%
Moisture pickup
Non-hygroscopic. Dry-mix products stay free-flowing under high humidity. Flavors don't degrade from absorbed moisture — packaged products stay sellable longer on the shelf.
99.6%
Minimum purity
Higher than many pharmaceutical specifications. Chemically stable at room temperature with indefinite shelf life. Full COA available with every shipment.
Applications
Where fumaric acid earns its place
From beverage acidulation to industrial intermediates — the same molecule, six well-documented use cases. Pick the one that matches your formulation.
Pharmaceuticals
Pharma-grade tablet excipient, pH adjuster, and intermediate for active fumarate salts.
- Tablet effervescence systems
- Ferrous fumarate (iron supplements)
- Dimethyl fumarate intermediate
- Excellent pH stability
Industrial / Resins
Building block for unsaturated polyester resins, alkyds, and reactive intermediates.
- Unsaturated polyester resins
- Alkyd resins & rosin sizing
- Plasticizer synthesis
- Acrylic copolymer modifier
Personal Care
pH adjuster and exfoliant precursor in skincare and cosmetic formulations.
- Skin pH adjuster
- Hair care acidulant
- Buffering agent in cleansers
- Antioxidant in cosmetic formulations
Baking & Leavening
Instant souring agent and leavening system component. Replaces day-long fermentation.
- Refrigerated biscuit doughs
- Rye bread souring (instant)
- Angel food cake — egg-white volume
- Eliminates leavening "spotting"
Coatings & Adhesives
Monomer for crosslinkable coatings, paper sizing, and water-soluble adhesives.
- Paper sizing agent
- Water-soluble adhesive resins
- Crosslinker for coatings
- Antioxidant synergist (~20% savings vs citric+BHA)
Specifications
Tested to FCC & Food Chemicals Codex
Every lot is COA-verified. Below are the typical specifications for our food-grade fumaric acid; the full Certificate of Analysis ships with every order.
| Parameter | Specification | Test Method |
|---|---|---|
| Assay (purity) | ≥ 99.6% | Titration with NaOH, phenolphthalein endpoint |
| Appearance | White crystalline powder | Visual |
| Melting Point | 286 °C (sealed tube) | USP capillary |
| Specific Gravity (20 °C / 4 °C) | 1.635 | Pycnometer |
| Solubility (water, 20 °C) | 0.499 g / 100 mL | Gravimetric saturation |
| Solubility (water, 100 °C) | 9.8 g / 100 mL | Gravimetric saturation |
| Heavy Metals (as Pb) | ≤ 10 ppm | FCC heavy-metals limit test |
| Loss on Drying | ≤ 0.5% | 105 °C, 2 h |
| Residue on Ignition | ≤ 0.1% | FCC residue method |
| Granular Mesh | ≥ 90% on 100 mesh | USS sieve series |
| Fine Crystal Mesh | 0% retained on 120 mesh | USS sieve series |
Full COA available with every shipment · Custom particle size available on request
Frequently Asked
Food-grade fumaric acid — common questions
Answers to the questions formulators most often ask when evaluating fumaric acid as a beverage acidulant, citric replacement, or pH adjuster in food and pharmaceutical systems.
What is the difference between food-grade and technical-grade fumaric acid?
Food-grade fumaric acid is manufactured and tested to Food Chemicals Codex (FCC) standards with strict limits on heavy metals, residual solvents, and microbial counts. Technical-grade material is intended for industrial uses such as resins, plasticizers, and reactive intermediates and is not certified safe for human consumption. Kraft Chemical's food-grade material is supplied at ≥99.6% purity with a full FCC-aligned Certificate of Analysis per lot.
Why is fumaric acid often substituted for citric acid as an acidulant?
Fumaric acid is roughly twice as acidic per pound as citric acid, so a formulator can use about half the mass to reach the same target pH or tartness — typically reducing acidulant cost ~50% on an active basis. Fumaric acid is also non-hygroscopic, so it does not absorb moisture during storage the way crystalline citric does, which makes it useful in dry-blend systems such as instant beverages, dry mixes, and refrigerated doughs.
Is fumaric acid GRAS / FDA-approved for food contact?
Yes. Fumaric acid is listed under 21 CFR 172.350 as a Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) direct food additive in the United States and is designated E297 in the European Union. It is permitted in beverages, gelatin desserts, fillings, baking powders, wine (TTB-approved acidulant to 0.3%), and many other food categories.
What is the typical shelf life and storage requirement?
Food-grade fumaric acid has a 24-month shelf life when stored in original sealed packaging at ambient temperature in a cool, dry warehouse. It is non-hygroscopic and stable under normal handling conditions; it does not require refrigeration or inert-gas blanketing.
What pack sizes is food-grade fumaric acid available in?
Kraft Chemical stocks food-grade fumaric acid in 50 lb fiber drums, 1,000 lb supersacks, and bulk truckload quantities for same-day shipment from Lake Zurich, IL. Every lot ships with a full FCC-aligned Certificate of Analysis; Kosher, Halal, Non-GMO, and Allergen statements are available on request.
Since 1935 · 90+ years supplying trusted ingredients to U.S. food and industrial manufacturers
Request a Quote
Get a sample or full quote — same day
Tell us about your application. Our sales desk responds the same business day for stocked grades.
- Free formulation samples for qualified food processors
- Same-day shipment available for stocked grades
- Bulk pricing on 250-lb leverpaks and full pallets
- Technical support for formulation conversions from citric, tartaric, or malic