Sodium potassium tartrate
147-79-5 · 15490-42-3 · 304-59-6 · 6381-59-5 · 2,3-Dihydroxybutanedioic acid, monopotassium monosodium salt · ANHYDROUS SODIUM POTASSIUM TARTRATE · Butanedioic acid, 2,3-dihydroxy- (2R,3R)-, potassium sodium salt (1:1:1) · Butanedioic acid, 2,3-dihydroxy- (R-(R*,R*))-, monopotassium monosodium salt · Butanedioic acid, 2,3-dihydroxy-(2R,3R)-, monopotassium monosodium salt · Butanedioic acid, 2,3-dihydroxy-, monopotassium monosodium salt · C4H4KNaO6 · CCRIS 3949 · Co eff pdr · E 337 · HSDB 765 · INS NO.337 · INS-337 · L-(+)-Tartaric Acid Potassium Sodium Salt · L-Potassium sodium tartrate · L-Potassiumsodiumtartrate · Monopotassium monosodium 2,3-dihydroxybutanedioate, (R-(R*,R*))- · Monopotassium monosodium tartrate · Potassium sodium (2R,3R)-2,3-dihydroxybutanedioate (1/1/1) · Potassium sodium (R*,R*)-(1)-tartrate · Potassium sodium 2,3-dihydroxybutanedioate (1/1/1) · Potassium sodium dextro-tartrate · Potassium sodium L(+)-tartrate · Potassium sodium L-(+)-tartrate · potassium sodium L-tartarate · potassium sodium l-tartrate · Potassium Sodium Tartrate · Potassium Sodium Tartrate (1.5M Solution in Water) · Potassium sodium tartrate anhydrous · potassium sodium tartrate tetrahy-drate · potassium;sodium;(2R,3R)-2,3-dihydroxybutanedioate · QH257BPV3J · rel-Potassium sodium (2R,3R)-2,3-dihydroxysuccinate · Rochelle salt · Rochelle's salt · Seignette salt · Seignette's salt · Sodium potassium (dl)-tartrate · Sodium potassium L-tartrate · Sodium potassium salt of L-(+)-tartaric acid · Sodium potassium tartrate · Tartaric acid, monopotassium monosodium salt · Tartaric acid, potassium sodium salt · E337 · 337 · Butanedioic acid, 2,3-dihydroxy- (theta-(theta,theta))-, monopotassium monosodium salt · potassium sodium (2R,3R)-2,3-dihydroxybutanedioate · Sodium potassium tartrate · Tartaric acid – tartrates · Tartaric acid – tartrates E 334 – 337 and E 354 · KAALIUMNAATRIUMTARTRAAT · KALIJEV NATRIJEV TARTARAT · KALIO NATRIO TARTRATAS · KALIUM-NATRIUM-TARTRAT · Kaliumnatriumtartraat · KALIUMNATRIUMTARTRAATTI · Kaliumnatriumtartrat · KÁLIUM-NÁTRIUM-TARTARÁT · KĀLIJA NĀTRIJA TARTRĀTS · Naatriumkaaliumtartraat · Natrij kalijev tartrat · natrijev kalijev tartrat · Natrio kalio tartratas · Natrium-Kaliumtartrat · Natriumkaliumtartraatti · Natriumkaliumtartrat · Nátrium-kálium-tartarát · Nātrija kālija tartrāts · POTASSIUM SODIUM TARTRATE · Sodium potassium tartrate · TARTARATO DE SÓDIO E DE POTÁSSIO · Tartarato de sódio e potássio · Tartrat de sodiu și potasiu · Tartrat tal-potassju u s-sodju · TARTRAT TAS-SODJU U L-POTASSJU · Tartrate double de sodium et de potassium · TARTRATO DI POTASSIO E DI SODIO · Tartrato di sodio e di potassio · Tartrato doble de sodio y potasio · Vinan sodno-draselný · VÍNAN DRASELNO-SODNÝ · Vínan sodnodraselný · Winian potasowo-sodowy · Τρυγικό καλιονάτριο · КАЛИЕВО-НАТРИЕВ ТАРТАРАТ · Натриево-калиев тартаратE number E337INS 337CAS 304-59-6
Listed as an acidity regulator by Canada, Codex and the US.
Listed as acidity regulators (CA, US, Codex) · emulsifiers (CA, US) · stabilisers (CA, Codex) · sequestrants (US, Codex) · thickeners (CA) · emulsifying salts (Codex)
- Canada: Acidity regulator — Health Canada, List of Permitted Acidity Regulators and Acid-Reacting Materials (List 10)
- United States: pH control agent — FDA, Substances Added to Food: SODIUM POTASSIUM TARTRATE
- United States: pH control agents — 21 CFR 184.1804, citing 21 CFR 170.3(o)(23)
- Codex Alimentarius: Acidity regulator — CXS 192-1995 Table One, INS 337
- Canada: Emulsifying, stabilizing or thickening agent — Health Canada, List of Permitted Emulsifying, Gelling, Stabilizing or Thickening Agents (List 4)
- United States: Emulsifier or emulsifier salt — FDA, Substances Added to Food: SODIUM POTASSIUM TARTRATE
- United States: Emulsifiers and emulsifier salts — 21 CFR 184.1804, citing 21 CFR 170.3(o)(8)
- Canada: Emulsifying, stabilizing or thickening agent — Health Canada, List of Permitted Emulsifying, Gelling, Stabilizing or Thickening Agents (List 4)
- Codex Alimentarius: Stabilizer — CXS 192-1995 Table One, INS 337
- United States: Sequestrant — FDA, Substances Added to Food: SODIUM POTASSIUM TARTRATE
- Codex Alimentarius: Sequestrant — CXS 192-1995 Table One, INS 337
- Canada: Emulsifying, stabilizing or thickening agent — Health Canada, List of Permitted Emulsifying, Gelling, Stabilizing or Thickening Agents (List 4)
- Codex Alimentarius: Emulsifying salt — CXS 192-1995 Table One, INS 337

Sodium potassium tartrate, historically called Rochelle salt, is an acidity regulator and sequestrant used in confectionery, jellies and processed cheese.
Where it is and isn’t permitted
| Jurisdiction | Status | Scope and limits | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia and New Zealand | Permitted, with conditions | 56 food categories no numerical limit (good manufacturing practice) Show every food category
| Food Standards Code, Schedule 15, S15—5and 55 further provisionsretrieved 2026-10-17 |
| Canada | Permitted, with conditions | no numerical limit (good manufacturing practice) 5 permitted uses Show every permitted use
| Health Canadaand 4 further provisionsretrieved 2026-10-17 |
| European Union | Permitted, with conditions | 30 food categories highest permitted level 100,000 mg/l Show every food category
| Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex IIand 29 further provisionsretrieved 2026-10-18 |
| Great Britain | Permitted, with conditions | 67 food categories Show every food category
| Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008and 66 further provisionsretrieved 2026-10-18 |
| Japan | No listing matchedThis site imports only Japan’s list of designated additives (Appended Table 1 to the Regulations for Enforcement of the Food Sanitation Act), matched by English name. Existing additives, natural flavouring agents and ordinary foods used as additives are permitted outside that list and are not imported, so an empty row does not show that Japan does not permit the substance. | ||
| South Korea | Permitted, with conditions | Designated food additive: Standards and Specifications for Food Additives, Part III, 1. …Designated food additive: Standards and Specifications for Food Additives, Part III, 1. 일반식품첨가물 (general food additives), 주석산칼륨나트륨 (“Potassium Sodium L-Tartrate”, the English the Code prints beside it). Main use (주용도) of 주석산칼륨나트륨: 산도조절제. Standard for use (사용기준) of 주석산칼륨나트륨: (1) [to be used under the general standard for use in II. 2. 1), the minimum amount that achieves the technical effect, with no limit set for this additive in particular] “II. 2. 1)의 규정에 따라 사용하여야 한다.” The Korean is the standard as published. There is no official English translation of the current Code (the English version on MFDS’s website is the 2020 edition and has no legal effect); the English in square brackets is this site’s description of what each sentence does, not a translation of the foods or the levels. Compositional specifications (Part IV) are not imported, nor are the general standards in Part II, which apply to every additive. | Standards and Specifications for Food Additives (식품첨가물의 기준 및 규격), MFDS Notification, Part III (Standards for use, by item)retrieved 2026-10-18 |
| United States | Permitted | 21 CFR 184.1804retrieved 2026-10-17 | |
| Codex Alimentarius | Permitted, with conditions | 63 food categories highest permitted level 30,000 mg/kg Show every food category and its notes
| CXS 192-1995 Table One, INS 337and 62 further provisionsretrieved 2026-09-07 |
How much is permitted
A listing usually limits the quantity as well as the food. Only one of the forms that takes is a figure: quantum satis and good manufacturing practice permit the amount the technological effect requires and no more, which is a limit rather than the absence of one. Figures below are the range across every food category this page is listed in, and categories differ between regulators — see how much is permitted.
| Australia and New Zealand | — | 56 GMP |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | — | 4 GMP, 1 no quantity stated |
| European Union | 240 mg/kg – 100,000 mg/kg | 29 numeric limit, 1 quantum satis |
| Great Britain | — | 67 quantum satis |
| South Korea | — | 1 no quantity stated |
| United States | — | 1 no quantity stated |
| Codex Alimentarius | 100 mg/kg – 30,000 mg/kg | 62 numeric limit, 1 GMP |
What it is made from
Made by neutralising tartaric acid from winemaking residues with both sodium and potassium.
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
Compare other additives on the dietary indexes.
- CAS registry number
- 304-59-6
- InChIKey
- LJCNRYVRMXRIQR-OLXYHTOASA-L
- PubChem
- CID 9357
The two specifications, compared
The European Union sets identity and purity by regulation; JECFA publishes its own through FAO, advisory until a country adopts it. Both documents are below in full. These are the parameters each puts a number on.
| Parameter | European Union | JECFA |
|---|---|---|
| Assay | no less than 99 % | no less than 99 % |
| Loss on drying | no more than 26 % | no more than 26 % |
| Lead | no more than 2 mg/kg | no more than 2 mg/kg |
| Arsenic | no more than 3 mg/kg | — |
| Mercury | no more than 1 mg/kg | — |
The two documents state the same figures for every parameter compared here.
How the EU defines it
The legal specification an additive must meet to be sold as this E number in the EU — what it is, how it may be made, and the purity it must reach. From Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012.
E 337 Potassium sodium tartrate
Synonyms: Potassium sodium L-(+)-tartrate; Rochelle salt; Seignette salt
Assay, identification and purity criteria
Description and assay
- Einecs
- 206-156-8
- Chemical name
- Potassium sodium salt of L-2,3-dihydroxybutanedioic acid; Potassium sodium L-(+)-tartrate
- Chemical formula
- C₄H₄O₆KNa·4H₂O
- Molecular weight
- 282,23
- Assay
- Content not less than 99 % on the anhydrous basis
- Description
- Colourless crystals or white crystalline powder
Identification
- Test for tartrate
- Passes test
- Test for potassium
- Passes test
- Test for sodium
- Passes test
- Solubility
- 1 gram is soluble in 1 ml of water, insoluble in ethanol
- Melting range
- 70-80 °C
- pH
- Between 6,5 and 8,5 (1 % aqueous solution)
Purity criteria
- Loss on drying
- Not more than 26,0 % and not less than 21,0 % (150 °C, 3 hours)
- Oxalates
- Not more than 100 mg/kg (expressed as oxalic acid, after drying)
- Arsenic
- Not more than 3 mg/kg
- Lead
- Not more than 2 mg/kg
- Mercury
- Not more than 1 mg/kg
How JECFA defines it
The international specification for identity and purity, prepared by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives and published by FAO. It is a different document from any above, written by a different body and revised on its own cycle; it is advisory, and a country adopts it or does not.
INS 337 Potassium Sodium L(+)-Tartrate
Synonyms: Rochelle salt, Seignette salt, Potassium sodium dextro-tartrate; INS No. 337 Potassium sodium dextro-tartrate; Rochelle salt; Seignette salt
Assay, identification and purity criteria
Description and assay
- Specification history
- Prepared at the 7th JECFA (1963), published in NMRS 35 (1964) and in FNP 52 (1992). Metals and arsenic specifications revised at the 63rd JECFA (2004). An ADI of 0-30 mg/kg bw was established at the 17th JECFA (1973)
- Chemical names
- Potassium sodium L-tartrate, potassium sodium (+)-tartrate, potassium sodium (+)-2,3-dihydroxybutanedioic acid
- C.A.S. number
- 304-59-6
- Chemical formula
- C 4 H 4 KNaO 6 · 4H 2 O
- Formula weight
- 282.23
- Assay
- Not less than 99% after drying
- DESCRIPTION
- Colourless crystals, or as a white, crystalline powder
- FUNCTIONAL USES
- Sequestrant, stabilizer in cheese products, minced meat, and sausage casings
- METHOD OF ASSAY
- Weigh 1.500 g of the dried sample into a tared porcelain crucible and ignite. Heat gently at first, until the salt is thoroughly carbonized, protecting the carbonized salt from contact with the flame at all times. The final temperature must not be above that of a dull read heat. Cool the crucible, place in a glass beaker, and break up the carbonized mass with a glass rod. Without removing the glass rod or the crucible, add 50 ml of water, 50 ml of 0.5 N sulfuric acid, cover the beaker, and boil the solution for 30 min. Filter, and wash with hot water until the last washing is neutral to litmus. Cool the combined filtrate and washings, add methyl orange TS, and titrate the excess acid with 0.5 N sodium hydroxide. Each ml of 0.5 N sulfuric acid is equivalent to 0.05254 g of C 4 H 4 KNaO 6 .
Identification
- Solubility (Vol. 4)
- One gram is soluble in 1 ml of water; insoluble to ethanol
- Test for tartrate (Vol. 4)
- Passes test
- Test for sodium (Vol. 4)
- Passes test
- Test for potassium (Vol. 4)
- Passes test
Purity criteria
- Loss on drying (Vol. 4)
- Not more than 26.0% and not less than 21.0% (150 o , 3 h)
- pH (Vol. 4)
- 6.5 - 7.5 (1 in 10 soln)
- Oxalate
- Add 3 drops of dilute acetic acid TS and 2 ml of calcium chloride TS to 10 ml of a 10% solution of potassium sodium tartrate. No turbidity is produced within 1 h.
- Lead (Vol. 4)
- Not more than 2 mg/kg Determine using an atomic absorption technique appropriate to the specified level. The selection of sample size and method of sample preparation may be based on the principles of the method described in Volume 4, “Instrumental Methods.”
Authorised in other additives, enzymes, flavourings and nutrients
These authorisations are not for use in food. They let this substance be used inside another additive, a food enzyme, a flavouring or a nutrient preparation — often as a carrier — and it reaches food only as part of that product. Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008.
| Part | May be used in | Maximum level | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annex III, Part 2: Food additives other than carriers in food additives | E 440 Pectins used in food category 05.2 (Other confectionery including breath freshening microsweets) and food category 05.4 (Decorations, coatings and fillings, except fruit-based fillings covered by category 4.2.4)Authorised as a member of Table 8 of Part 6 (Tartaric acid – tartrates), listed as "E 334–337 and E 354 Tartaric acid – tartrates (Table 8 of Part 6)" Note (1): Except enzymes authorised as food additives. | 220 000 mg/kg singly or in combination in the preparation and 11 000 mg/kg in the final product expressed as the free acid | Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex III, Part 2, via Table 8 of Part 6 |
| Annex III, Part 4: Food additives including carriers in food flavourings | All flavouringsAuthorised as a member of Table 8 of Part 6 (Tartaric acid – tartrates), listed as "E 334–337 and E 354 Tartaric acid – tartrates (Table 8 of Part 6)" | 20 000 mg/kg singly or in combination in the flavouring and 400 mg/kg in the final product expressed as the free acid | Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex III, Part 4, via Table 8 of Part 6 |
| Annex III, Part 5, Section A: Food additives added in nutrients except in nutrients intended to be used in foodstuffs listed in Part E, point 01.10, of Annex II and foodstuffs for infants and young children listed in Part E, point 13.1, of Annex II | All nutrientsAuthorised as a member of Table 8 of Part 6 (Tartaric acid – tartrates), listed as "E 334–337 and E 354 Tartaric acid – tartrates (Table 8 of Part 6)" | 1 000 mg/kg singly or in combination in the nutrient preparation | Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex III, Part 5, Section A, via Table 8 of Part 6 |
Every name it appears under
90 recorded names. A label may use any of them.
E number
- E337
INS number
- 337
CAS registry number
- 147-79-5
- 15490-42-3
- 304-59-6
- 6381-59-5
As it appears in regulation
- Sodium potassium tartrate
- Tartaric acid – tartrates
- Tartaric acid – tartrates E 334 – 337 and E 354
Other names
- 2,3-Dihydroxybutanedioic acid, monopotassium monosodium salt
- ANHYDROUS SODIUM POTASSIUM TARTRATE
- Butanedioic acid, 2,3-dihydroxy- (2R,3R)-, potassium sodium salt (1:1:1)
- Butanedioic acid, 2,3-dihydroxy- (R-(R*,R*))-, monopotassium monosodium salt
- Butanedioic acid, 2,3-dihydroxy-(2R,3R)-, monopotassium monosodium salt
- Butanedioic acid, 2,3-dihydroxy-, monopotassium monosodium salt
- C4H4KNaO6
- CCRIS 3949
- Co eff pdr
- E 337
- HSDB 765
- INS NO.337
- INS-337
- L-(+)-Tartaric Acid Potassium Sodium Salt
- L-Potassium sodium tartrate
- L-Potassiumsodiumtartrate
- Monopotassium monosodium 2,3-dihydroxybutanedioate, (R-(R*,R*))-
- Monopotassium monosodium tartrate
- Potassium sodium (2R,3R)-2,3-dihydroxybutanedioate (1/1/1)
- Potassium sodium (R*,R*)-(1)-tartrate
- Potassium sodium 2,3-dihydroxybutanedioate (1/1/1)
- Potassium sodium dextro-tartrate
- Potassium sodium L(+)-tartrate
- Potassium sodium L-(+)-tartrate
- potassium sodium L-tartarate
- potassium sodium l-tartrate
- Potassium Sodium Tartrate
- Potassium Sodium Tartrate (1.5M Solution in Water)
- Potassium sodium tartrate anhydrous
- potassium sodium tartrate tetrahy-drate
- potassium;sodium;(2R,3R)-2,3-dihydroxybutanedioate
- QH257BPV3J
- rel-Potassium sodium (2R,3R)-2,3-dihydroxysuccinate
- Rochelle salt
- Rochelle's salt
- Seignette salt
- Seignette's salt
- Sodium potassium (dl)-tartrate
- Sodium potassium L-tartrate
- Sodium potassium salt of L-(+)-tartaric acid
- Sodium potassium tartrate
- Tartaric acid, monopotassium monosodium salt
- Tartaric acid, potassium sodium salt
Systematic names
- Butanedioic acid, 2,3-dihydroxy- (theta-(theta,theta))-, monopotassium monosodium salt
- potassium sodium (2R,3R)-2,3-dihydroxybutanedioate
Hazard reference values
The two committees set different figures. EFSA's acceptable daily intake is 240 mg/kg bw/day (2020); JECFA's is 30 mg/kg bw/day (1973). An acceptable daily intake is a reference value set by a committee, not a threshold above which harm begins. The lower figure is not a finding that the other body was wrong: the two work to different terms of reference, on their own timetables, and sometimes from different data. This site states both and chooses between them nowhere. See where the two committees differ.
Evidence and how bodies read it
What assessing bodies concluded
Each conclusion is paraphrased in the body's own framing, from the published opinion linked beneath it. Where bodies differ, both stand; this site does not adjudicate between them or add a view of its own.
EFSA 2020
The FAF Panel found no genotoxic or carcinogenic potential for L(+)-tartaric acid and tartrates (E 334–E 337, E 354) and, using a chemical-specific uncertainty factor based on lower internal exposure in humans than rats, established a group ADI of 240 mg/kg bw/day expressed as tartaric acid (the SCF had set 30 mg/kg bw/day). Refined exposure estimates did not exceed the group ADI.
Common questions
Assembled from what is above, in the words the questions are usually asked in. Each answer is the same statement the relevant section makes, with the same citations behind it.
- What is E 337?
- E 337 is Sodium potassium tartrate. Sodium potassium tartrate, historically called Rochelle salt, is an acidity regulator and sequestrant used in confectionery, jellies and processed cheese.
- What is Sodium potassium tartrate used for in food?
- It is listed as an acidity regulator — the role Canada, Codex and the US assign it. This page shows every function each regulator records, with the citation for each.
- Where is Sodium potassium tartrate permitted?
- Of the seven regulators this site reads, Australia and New Zealand, Canada, the EU, Great Britain, South Korea, the US and the Codex standard permit it. Each permission is for named foods at named levels, not a blanket one; the table on this page gives them with citations.
- Is Sodium potassium tartrate vegan?
- Yes. Sodium potassium tartrate is not derived from animals, and is suitable for vegetarians. This page says what it is made from and how.
Sources for this page
- anz retrieved 2026-10-17
- ca retrieved 2026-10-17
- eu retrieved 2026-10-18
- gb retrieved 2026-10-18
- kr retrieved 2026-10-18
- ecfr retrieved 2026-10-17
- gsfa retrieved 2026-09-07
- euspecs retrieved 2026-10-18
- jecfaspecs retrieved 2026-09-23
Full licence terms and publisher details on Sources. How this page is built and updated: Method.
Machine-readable: a JSON record of this additive is given on request —how to ask for access.
Follow changes to Sodium potassium tartrate:Atom feed — regulatory events, and any change the weekly refresh detects in its provisions.