Safe

E331 — Sodium citrates

Acidity regulator

E331 (Sodium citrates), a acidity regulator, is rated "safe": no significant concern. The sodium salts of citric acid. Used to control acidity in cheese, sausages, and drinks. Also the standard emulsifier in processed cheese.

What is Sodium citrates?

The sodium salts of citric acid. The key emulsifier in processed cheese slices, plus widely used in sausages, sour candies, drinks, and even kidney-stone medications.

What does it do to the body?

Your body uses citrate as part of energy metabolism. No safety concern at food levels. People on very low-sodium diets should count it like other sodium sources.

What regulators say

EFSA and the FDA both treat it as a safe additive with no numerical limit.

Risk rating: Safe

Cleared by EFSA with no significant concern at typical dietary exposure. Common, well-studied, and not a reason to put a product back on the shelf.

E-number: E331Category: Acidity regulatorAlso known as: sodium citrate, sodium citrates

Frequently asked questions

Is E331 (Sodium citrates) safe?
EFSA and the FDA both treat it as a safe additive with no numerical limit.
What is E331 (Sodium citrates)?
The sodium salts of citric acid. The key emulsifier in processed cheese slices, plus widely used in sausages, sour candies, drinks, and even kidney-stone medications.
What does Sodium citrates do to the body?
Your body uses citrate as part of energy metabolism. No safety concern at food levels. People on very low-sodium diets should count it like other sodium sources.
What are other names for E331?
E331 is also known as sodium citrate, sodium citrates.

Related acidity regulator

E260 Acetic acidSafeE270 Lactic acidSafeE290 Carbon dioxideSafeE296 Malic acidSafeE297 Fumaric acidSafeE325 Sodium lactateWatch
Scan any product with Yuzu — see every additive graded