Sodium citrates
Function: Emulsifier
E331 is the European food-additive number for Sodium citrates, an emulsifier — helps ingredients that normally separate, like oil and water, stay mixed. Sodium citrates (E331) is an emulsifier used as a food additive.
What is E331 used for?
Sodium citrates (E331) is an emulsifier — helps ingredients that normally separate, like oil and water, stay mixed. It is added during food production for a technological purpose rather than for nutrition.
Is E331 safe or restricted?
E331 is an approved food additive in the EU and currently carries no special regulatory restrictions in the EU additive register. Forkin classifies it as “No regulatory flags” and does not make health claims. See the methodology for how regulatory levels are assigned.
Frequently asked questions about E331
- What is E331?
- E331 is the E-number for Sodium citrates, an emulsifier — helps ingredients that normally separate, like oil and water, stay mixed. Sodium citrates (E331) is an emulsifier used as a food additive.
- What is E331 used for?
- Sodium citrates (E331) is an emulsifier — helps ingredients that normally separate, like oil and water, stay mixed. Manufacturers add it during processing rather than for nutrition. The Forkin app shows which products in your scan history actually contain it.
- Is E331 vegan or vegetarian?
- It depends on the source. Many additives can be produced from plant, mineral, or animal-derived raw materials, and the ingredient list rarely states which was used. The Forkin app shows the verified vegan and vegetarian status per product where it's known, instead of a blanket guess.
- Is E331 safe, and is it banned anywhere?
- E331 is an approved food additive in the EU and currently carries no special regulatory restrictions in the EU additive register. Forkin classifies it as "No regulatory flags" and does not make health claims — see the methodology page for how regulatory levels are assigned, and the Forkin app for the full profile, including acceptable daily intake (ADI) and restrictions by country.
See the full profile in Forkin
The Forkin app surfaces the full regulatory profile of E331 — acceptable daily intake (ADI), restrictions by country, vegan/vegetarian status, alternative names, and which products in your scan history contain it.