Is e340 vegan?

E340 is the European food additive code for potassium phosphates, a group of mineral salts that includes monopotassium phosphate, dipotassium phosphate, and tripotassium phosphate. It is produced industrially by neutralizing phosphoric acid with potassium hydroxide or potassium carbonate, which are obtained from mined rock and inorganic mineral sources. In commercial food manufacturing, E340 acts as an acidity regulator, emulsifier, stabilizer, and moisture-retention agent. It is commonly found in plant-based milks, non-dairy coffee creamers, powdered beverage mixes, breakfast cereals, sauces, and processed potato products.

E340 is classified as vegan because it is entirely mineral and synthetic in origin. The chemical manufacturing process relies exclusively on mined phosphorus rock and inorganic potassium compounds. Because no animal tissues, animal byproducts, or animal-derived processing aids are used at any stage of its production, ingredients labeled as E340 are completely free from animal components and are suitable for a vegan diet.