Abstract: The invention relates to &bgr;-alaninamides of general formula (I), wherein: R1 represents hydrogen or C1-C6 alkyl which is optionally substituted by hydroxy, amino, carboxy, carbamoyl, methylmercapto, guanidino, or by optionally substituted aryl or heteroaryl; R2 represents hydrogen or R1 and R2, together, form a group of formula —(CH2)n, wherein n represents 3 or 4, and; R3 represents hydrogen, a negative charge compensated for by an equivalent of an inorganic or organic cation or represents C1-C6 alkyl. The &bgr;-alaninamides are produced without using an amino protective group by reacting the corresponding &agr;-amino acid or the corresponding &agr;-amino acid ester with a cyanoacetic acid to form a cyanoacetic acid amide and by a subsequent catalytic hydrogenation. The method is particularly suited for producing carnosine (&bgr;alanyl-L-histidine, R1=imidazol-4-yl-methyl, R2═R3═H), a naturally occurring dipeptide, which is used as a food additive having an antioxidant effect.