Tartaric Acid

E334 is tartaric acid, used as an acidity regulator and antioxidant synergist in baking powder, soft drinks, and confectionery. SANHA classifies E334 as Mushbooh because tartaric acid is commonly recovered as a by-product of winemaking. JAKIM Handbook 2010 classifies E334 as halal when it is not obtained from a wine by-product, noting US production uses unfermented grapes. MUIS marks E334 as syubhah, noting most commercial tartaric acid is a by-product of the wine industry and that it may also be extracted from tamarind pulp. Because the source is not always disclosed on the label, E334 is doubtful by default.