TARTARIC ACID IS USED IN THE PREPARATION OF EFFERVESCENT POWDERS, GRANULES, AND TABLETS, AS AN INGREDIENT OF COOLING DRINKS AND AS A SALINE PURGATIVE. IF NOT NEUTRALIZED, IT MUST BE TAKEN WELL DILUTED. TARTARIC ACID OR METATARTARIC ACID ARE USED IN WINE-MAKING AS DE-ACIDIFYING AGENTS.