Is e622 vegan?

E622 is the E-number for monopotassium glutamate, a potassium salt of glutamic acid used as a flavor enhancer. It is produced industrially through the bacterial fermentation of carbohydrate-rich plant materials, such as sugar cane molasses, sugar beets, corn starch, or cassava. The resulting glutamic acid is then neutralized with potassium hydroxide, a mineral compound, to yield the final purified salt.

Food manufacturers commonly use E622 as a lower-sodium alternative to monosodium glutamate in savory processed foods. It frequently appears on ingredient labels for seasoning mixes, bouillon cubes, canned soups, snack crisps, processed sauces, and plant-based meat substitutes.

E622 is vegan because it is derived exclusively from plant, mineral, and microbial sources. The commercial manufacturing process does not involve animal tissues, animal byproducts, or animal-derived processing aids, making this additive entirely suitable for a vegan diet.