日本語
Food additive databaseseasoningChecked 2026-10-02

L-Aspartic Acid L-アスパラギン酸

Existing food additiveNot on the EU additive list
Purpose
seasoning
On the label
“調味料（アミノ酸）” (seasoning (amino acids)), “調味料（アミノ酸等）” (seasoning (amino acids, etc.)), “アスパラギン酸” (aspartic acid)
Name in the List of Existing Food Additives
L-アスパラギン酸 (No. 8)
Source and production
The amino acid L-aspartic acid. Its source, manufacturing method, and nature follow the component specifications in Japan's Specifications and Standards for Food Additives (“食品添加物公定書”).

In Japan

  • One of the amino acids, used as a seasoning to add flavor.
  • It falls within the range of the group name for seasonings (amino acids whose purpose column reads “調味料” (seasoning)). When used as a seasoning, it can be labeled together as “調味料（アミノ酸）” (seasoning (amino acids)) and the like. The simplified name when written by substance name is “アスパラギン酸” (aspartic acid).
  • The sodium salt, “L-アスパラギン酸ナトリウム” (sodium L-aspartate), is a designated additive and a separate item.

Japan's standards for use

There are no standards for use that limit which foods or how much (the general standards for all additives still apply).

This is a summary of the standards for use. See the source list for the exact conditions.

In the EU

  • It is not on the EU list of food additives (Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II), so it cannot be used as a food additive in the EU.

When it is labeled under a shared name

L-Aspartic Acid may be declared on the label in the same way as “調味料（アミノ酸等）”. See Seasoning (amino acids etc.) — e.g. MSG for details.

Sources

Checked 2026-10-02. Rules and evaluations change over time. This page is a translation of our Japanese page; if they differ, the Japanese page is the reference.

This page lists facts stated in laws and in evaluations by public bodies; it is not a safety verdict. Additives used in Japan are approved by the government, which sets the foods and amounts they can be used in. The ADI is a guide to the amount that is considered safe to take every day over a lifetime.

Other substances used as seasoning

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