2,3-Dihydroxysuccinic acid is widely used in the food and beverage industry as a natural acidulant and flavor enhancer. It contributes a slightly tart taste, making it suitable for products like soft drinks, candies, and jams. In the pharmaceutical sector, it serves as a chiral building block for synthesizing various drugs, particularly those requiring specific stereochemistry. Additionally, it is employed in cosmetic formulations for its mild exfoliating and skin-brightening properties. Its chelating ability also makes it useful in industrial applications for metal ion sequestration and in cleaning products to prevent mineral buildup.