Is sodium citrate e331 vegan?
Sodium citrate e331 is a vegan food ingredient.
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"You are amazing, this has saved me so much time when grocery shopping!"
— Austin, a user who reached out with feedback
"It's been a great tool since starting my journey! You take a pic of the nutrition/ingredients, and it'll warn you of anything questionable or not vegan. 😁"
— Ashe, a Vegan For Beginners Facebook Group member
"Use a vegan app when you go shopping, I use WhatsVegan."
— Dóra, a Vegan For Beginners Facebook Group member
So, what is sodium citrate e331?
Sodium citrate, designated by the European food additive code E331, is the sodium salt of citric acid. It is produced by neutralizing citric acid with an inorganic sodium base, such as sodium hydroxide or sodium carbonate. The citric acid used in this synthesis is manufactured via the microbial fermentation of plant-derived carbohydrates, commonly corn starch, molasses, or sugar beets, using the microscopic fungus Aspergillus niger.
In food processing, sodium citrate E331 functions primarily as an acidity regulator, preservative, and emulsifying salt. It is widely used in carbonated soft drinks, energy beverages, jams, plant-based cheeses, candies, and canned foods to control acidity and prevent fats from separating.
Sodium citrate E331 is vegan because it is derived exclusively from microbial, plant, and mineral sources. The carbohydrate substrate and the fermenting organism used to generate the precursor acid are plant-based and fungal, while the neutralizing agent is an inorganic mineral compound. Because no animal tissues, animal secretions, or animal-derived processing aids are utilized during its manufacture, the ingredient is entirely free from animal inputs.
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