Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormCrystalline Powder
Industry PositionFood Additive / Nutrient Supplement Ingredient
Market
Magnesium lactate (DL) is a globally traded magnesium salt used as a nutrient supplement and, in food applications, as an acidity regulator/buffering agent and flour treatment agent under Codex INS 329. Supply is industrial (not seasonal) and typically follows lactic-acid-based lactate production chains, with buyers relying on international specifications (JECFA/Codex) and food-ingredient standards (e.g., FCC) to qualify suppliers. Commercial demand is tied to magnesium fortification in supplements and in certain fortified food and beverage formulations, where solubility and neutral taste are valued. Cross-border trade is strongly shaped by specification compliance (assay, hydration/moisture, and metals limits) and jurisdiction-specific rules on permitted uses and labeling.
Specification
Physical Attributes- White crystalline powder (typical JECFA description for Magnesium DL-Lactate).
- Soluble in water; practically insoluble in ethanol (JECFA specification context).
Compositional Metrics- Codex/INS identifier: INS No. 329 (Magnesium lactate, DL-) listed in Codex GSFA.
- CAS registry number: 18917-93-6 (JECFA).
- Chemical formula is hydration-dependent: Mg(C3H5O3)2 · xH2O (x = 0–3) (JECFA).
- Assay (JECFA Monographs): not less than 97.5% and not more than 101.5% on the dried basis.
- Loss on drying (JECFA Monographs): not more than 23.0% (120°C, 24 h), reflecting variable hydration state.
Grades- FAO/WHO JECFA — Combined Compendium of Food Additive Specifications (monograph-based specifications for Magnesium DL-Lactate).
- Codex Alimentarius — GSFA listing for Magnesium lactate, DL- (INS 329; GMP-based permissions by food category).
- Food Chemicals Codex (FCC) is used commercially as a food-ingredient identity/purity benchmark; some suppliers state FCC alignment for magnesium lactate.
Packaging- Typically supplied as a dry crystalline/powder ingredient in sealed moisture-protective packaging suitable for ambient storage and international freight (bags or drums depending on grade/particle size).
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Lactic acid production (often fermentation-based) -> neutralisation with a high-purity magnesium source -> precipitation/crystallisation -> drying -> milling/granulation -> packaging -> distribution to food, nutraceutical, and pharma formulators.
Demand Drivers- Magnesium fortification demand in dietary supplements and functional nutrition formats (tablets, capsules, powders).
- Use as an acidity regulator/buffering agent and flour treatment agent where permitted under food additive frameworks (Codex GSFA / INS 329).
- Preference in some formulations for organic-acid mineral salts supporting solubility and neutral taste in liquid/ready-to-mix applications (supplier positioning).
Temperature- No cold chain required for the dry salt; protect from moisture uptake and caking during storage and transport.
Risks
Food Safety HighNon-compliance with additive/ingredient purity requirements—especially elemental impurity (metals/arsenic) limits referenced in JECFA specifications—can trigger import detentions, customer rejections, or recalls for finished foods and supplements using Magnesium DL-Lactate (INS 329).Buy to a recognized specification (e.g., JECFA/Codex and/or FCC where contractually required), require lot-level CoA, and perform periodic verification testing for metals/arsenic and key identity/assay parameters.
Regulatory Compliance MediumPermitted uses, maximum use levels, and labeling expectations vary by jurisdiction for INS 329 applications; misalignment between intended use (food additive vs. nutrient supplement) and local rules can disrupt market access.Validate destination-country regulatory status and intended-use conditions (food category permissions, GMP constraints, supplement rules) before contracting and labeling.
Quality Consistency MediumHydration state can vary (xH2O, x = 0–3 in JECFA specification), which can affect moisture/loss-on-drying results and assay calculations if buyer and seller specifications are not harmonized.Contract on a clearly defined basis (anhydrous vs. hydrated, assay on dried basis, moisture/loss-on-drying limits) and align test methods between supplier and buyer.
FAQ
What is magnesium lactate (DL) used for in global food and supplement supply chains?Magnesium DL-lactate (INS 329) is used internationally as a nutrient supplement source of magnesium and, in food additive contexts, as an acidity regulator/buffering agent and flour treatment agent where permitted. Its applications commonly include dietary supplements and certain fortified food and beverage formulations, with buyers qualifying it against recognized specifications such as JECFA/Codex and food-ingredient standards like FCC.
Which international bodies publish specifications or listings relevant to Magnesium DL-lactate (INS 329)?FAO/WHO JECFA publishes specifications for Magnesium DL-lactate in the Combined Compendium of Food Additive Specifications, and Codex Alimentarius lists Magnesium lactate, DL- under INS 329 in the General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA).
What quality parameters are most important when purchasing magnesium DL-lactate for cross-border trade?Key purchase parameters commonly include identity confirmation (INS/CAS alignment), assay on a defined basis (often dried basis in JECFA), moisture or loss-on-drying limits (reflecting hydration), and compliance with elemental impurity limits referenced in JECFA specifications; many buyers also require documentation such as a lot-specific certificate of analysis.