Malic Acid

Malic Acid is included on the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) list of direct food substances that are affirmed as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS). Malic Acid is not considered GRAS for use in baby food.

The safety of Malic Acid, and Sodium Malate, has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel. The CIR Expert Panel evaluated the scientific data and concluded that Malic Acid and Sodium Malate were safe for use as pH adjusters in cosmetic formulations. The CIR Expert Panel determined that the data were insufficient to determine safety of these ingredients for other functions.
CIR Safety Review: The CIR Expert Panel considered separately the ways in which Malic Acid and Sodium Malate are used. As a pH adjuster, Malic Acid historically has been used at concentrations less than 1%. The available data demonstrate that the toxicity that has been demonstrated for Malic Acid and Sodium Malate is related to concentration. Accordingly, the CIR Expert Panel concluded that Malic Acid and Sodium Malate are safe for use as pH adjusters. Data included in the report, however, were insufficient to determine the safety of these ingredients when used in cosmetics as anything other than a pH adjuster.

FDA: Link to the Code of Federal Regulations for Malic Acid
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRS...

Malic Acid may be used in cosmetics and personal care products marketed in Europe according to the general provisions of the Cosmetics Directive of the European Union.
Link to the EU Cosmetics Directive: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/cosmetics/html/consolidated_d...

The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives has not restricted the daily intake of L-Malic Acid. The Committee has established a daily intake of 0-100 mg D-Malic Acid/kg body weight. Neither D- nor DL-Malic Acid should be added to food for very young infants except for therapeutic purposes. http://www.inchem.org/documents/jecfa/jecmono/40abcj45.htm