Is triethyl citrate vegan?
Triethyl citrate 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 triethyl citrate?
Triethyl citrate is an organic compound used as a food additive, primarily functioning as a stabilizer, whipping agent, and carrier solvent for flavorings. It is an ester formed through the chemical reaction of citric acid with ethyl alcohol. The citric acid used in commercial manufacturing is almost exclusively derived from the microbial fermentation of plant-based sugars, such as corn syrup or molasses, by the fungus Aspergillus niger. The ethyl alcohol component is produced either through the fermentation of agricultural crops or through synthetic processes utilizing petroleum derivatives.
In food production, triethyl citrate is commonly listed in dried egg white products, plant-based egg substitutes, baked goods, confectionery, and carbonated beverages. It also frequently appears outside the food sector in pharmaceutical coatings, fragrances, and cosmetic formulations.
This ingredient is classified as vegan because it is manufactured entirely from plant, microbial, or synthetic sources. Neither the foundational raw materials nor the chemical processing steps involve animal byproducts, rendering triethyl citrate suitable for consumption on a vegan diet.
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