Is sodium 5'- inosinate vegan?

Sodium 5'-inosinate, commonly known as disodium inosinate or food additive E631, is a flavor-enhancing sodium salt of inosinic acid used to create a savory umami taste. It is commercially obtained through the chemical extraction of inosinic acid from animal tissues, most frequently dried fish such as sardines, or from slaughterhouse meat extracts and poultry byproducts. Food manufacturers typically combine it with monosodium glutamate to intensify flavor in savory processed products, including instant noodles, potato chips, snack crackers, canned soups, gravy mixes, and commercial seasoning blends.

This ingredient is classified as not vegan because its standard manufacturing process relies on animal derivatives. Since producers source the raw material from fish tissues and meat processing byproducts rather than botanical inputs, foods containing sodium 5'-inosinate contain animal-derived matter and are not suitable for a vegan diet.