DL-Malic Acid
additive ingredient
What is it?
DL-Malic Acid is an additive, such as a preservative, flavouring or colouring. Graded poor: cheap, vague or of questionable value, so it drags a product’s score down.
Other names on labels: dl-malic acid (1a, malic acid, e296
At a glance
- Base score
- 0.2 (from −1 to 1; higher is better)
- Found in
- 0 products
No products in our catalogue currently list this ingredient.
Try another entry in the ingredient glossary.
Common questions about dl-malic acid
Is DL-Malic Acid good for dogs?
We grade it as a poor ingredient: typically cheap, vague or of questionable nutritional value, so it drags a product’s score down. One poor ingredient does not make a food bad on its own, but a recipe built from several usually scores low.
What is DL-malic acid in dog food?
DL-malic acid is a food acid, also listed as malic acid or E296, used to adjust acidity or enhance flavour. It occurs naturally in many fruits. In dog food it is usually added in very small amounts.
Is DL-malic acid safe for dogs?
DL-malic acid is approved as a food additive and is considered safe for dogs at typical inclusion levels. Some dogs may be sensitive to acidic additives. Speak to your vet if your dog has a history of digestive upset.
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How many UK dog foods contain dl-malic acid?
None of the UK products in our database currently list dl-malic acid as an ingredient.
What else is dl-malic acid called on labels?
Manufacturers list it under several names: dl-malic acid (1a, malic acid, e296. We match all of these to the same glossary entry when we read a label.
How does Open Dog Food grade dl-malic acid?
We grade it poor, our lowest grade, used for cheap, vague or low-value ingredients. Every ingredient is converted to its dry-matter share and scored from our glossary before a recipe gets its 1-100 rating; the full method is on our methodology page.