Five Rivers Materials
CATALOG LACTIC ACID
FOOD & BEVERAGE

Lactic Acid

Naturally fermented organic acid for dairy, beverage, bakery, and meat processing. Available in 80%, 88%, and 90% food-grade concentrations.

CAS NUMBER 50-21-5
HS CODE 2918.11
EINECS 200-018-0
CATEGORY Organic Acid / Acidulant
E NUMBER E270
01 / OVERVIEW

Overview

Lactic acid is the simplest hydroxy acid and one of the most versatile food-grade acidulants — produced industrially through fermentation of carbohydrates (corn, cassava, sugar beet) by Lactobacillus species. Compared to citric acid, lactic acid delivers a softer, milkier acidic note that integrates particularly well with dairy products and fermented foods. Five Rivers Materials supplies lactic acid in three food-grade concentrations — 80%, 88%, and 90% — from qualified producers in China.

In dairy applications, lactic acid is the natural choice for adjusting pH in yogurt, sour cream, and cottage cheese, because the same molecule is produced by the dairy fermentation itself. Beyond dairy, lactic acid serves in beverages, bakery, pickled foods, confectionery, and increasingly in meat processing as an antimicrobial spray and color preservation aid. All grades supplied are non-GMO certified where requested.

02 / SPECIFICATIONS

Technical Specifications

PURITY
80%, 88%, or 90% w/w (concentration varies by grade)
DENSITY
1.20 g/cm³ (88% solution)
pH (1% SOLUTION)
1.5 – 2.5 (10% solution)
APPEARANCE
Clear, colorless to pale yellow viscous liquid
SOLUBILITY
Miscible with water in all proportions
03 / VARIANTS

Variants & Forms

VAR / 01

80% Food Grade

Most common concentration. Balances cost, viscosity, and ease of dosing into food and beverage formulations.

VAR / 02

88% Food Grade

Higher concentration. Reduced freight cost per unit of acid. Preferred for high-volume buyers.

VAR / 03

90% Food Grade

Maximum food-grade concentration. Premium grade for applications requiring minimal water dilution.

04 / PACKAGING

Packaging Options

PKG / 01
25 kg Drum
HDPE, food-grade
PKG / 02
55 gal Drum
HDPE, food-grade
PKG / 03
275 gal IBC
Food-grade tote
PKG / 04
ISO Tank
Bulk delivery
05 / APPLICATIONS

Applications by Industry

APP / 01

Food & Beverage

  • Dairy products — acidulant in yogurt, cottage cheese, sour cream
  • Beverages — soft drinks, juices, beverages requiring tart flavor
  • Bakery — dough conditioning, pH control
  • Pickled and fermented foods — acidulant and flavor
  • Confectionery — flavor acid in hard candies and gummies
  • Meat processing — antimicrobial, color preservation
06 / REGULATORY

Regulatory & Certifications

FDA GRAS 21 CFR 184.1061
FCC Food Chemicals Codex
EU E270
Kosher on request
Halal on request
07 / STORAGE & HANDLING

Storage & Handling

CONDITIONS
Cool, sealed containers. Protect from freezing (will crystallize but recovers on warming).
SHELF LIFE
24 months from manufacture
HAZMAT
Non-hazardous · standard ground freight
DOT CLASSIFICATION
Not regulated at food-grade concentrations
08 / STOCKING

Stocking & Logistics

Inventory held at the operational hubs listed below. Direct FCL from origin (Mumbai / Ahmedabad / China) available for buyers requiring custom specs, branded packaging, or origin documentation.

Houston
HOU · TX
Long Beach
LGB · CA
Toronto
YYZ · CA