E331 – Sodium citrates | processed cheese additive safety and side effects

Quick analysis summary about E331 – Sodium citrates food additive

Bottom line about E331

E331 means sodium citrates, a group of sodium salts of citric acid used mainly as acidity regulators, buffers, stabilisers, and emulsifying salts. At normal food-use levels, E331 is graded GREEN – SAFE because citrate is a normal metabolite in the body and the available evidence does not show a recurring cancer, reproductive, or organ-toxicity signal.[1-4]

Why this grade for E331

The grade is based on citrate’s normal role in human metabolism, older toxicology data reviewed for citric acid and its sodium salts, and human studies using much larger sodium citrate supplement doses than typical food additive exposure.[1-4] The main realistic concern is stomach discomfort, sodium load, or blood-alkalising effects at large supplemental or medicinal doses.[3,4]

Who may want to limit or avoid E331

Most consumers do not need to avoid E331. People on sodium-restricted diets, people with kidney disease, and people using citrate medicines or high-dose sports supplements should treat large additional intake more carefully.[3,4]

Common uses and where E331 appears

E331 is common in processed cheese, dairy desserts, jams, jellies, soft drinks, powdered drinks, confectionery, sauces, and some canned or prepared foods. It controls acidity, stabilises texture, binds metal ions, and keeps emulsions such as processed cheese smooth.

E331 source or origin

E331 is usually produced by neutralising citric acid with sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, or a similar sodium base. The citric acid starting material is nature-identical and is commonly fermentation-derived from carbohydrate sources, so the commercial source can vary by manufacturer.

Intake note for E331

A numerical ADI (Acceptable Daily Intake) is not normally specified for sodium citrate. JECFA lists sodium citrate with an ADI not limited, also described as not specified. This does not mean unlimited intake is useful, it means ordinary food additive exposure did not require a tight toxicological limit.

Is E331 banned anywhere?

E331 is authorised in the European Union and sodium citrate is affirmed as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) in the United States when used according to good manufacturing practice. No clear major food-use ban was identified in the reviewed jurisdictions, although permitted uses can vary by food category.

Safety grading GREEN – SAFE

E331 is graded GREEN – SAFE because the total evidence base is reassuring at realistic food-use levels. Citrate is a normal intermediate in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, and sodium citrate has a long history of food and medical exposure without a credible recurring signal of carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, or organ damage at ordinary dietary intakes.[1-4] The independent human literature mainly uses high acute supplement doses, where the effects are temporary gastrointestinal symptoms, changes in blood pH and bicarbonate, and sodium-related considerations rather than classic additive toxicity.[3,4]

Study basis or key toxicological reasoning for E331

The older toxicological basis reviewed for citric acid and its sodium salts included a 112–120 day oral dog study at 1380 mg/kg bw/day without symptoms or renal damage, plus a 90-week rat diet study without reproductive or blood-picture effects attributed to the diet.[1] This is supported by broader citrate safety reviews that describe citric acid as a common metabolite and sodium citrate as part of the inorganic citrate salt group.[2] Human sodium citrate studies are mostly supplement studies at around 500 mg/kg body weight, far above typical food-additive exposure. They show induced alkalosis and usually minor to moderate gastrointestinal symptoms depending on dose and protocol.[3,4] The main caveat is limited modern chronic human evidence, so the grade relies on metabolism, older toxicology, toxicology review, and high-dose human supplement evidence together.[1-4]

Side effects of E331 – Sodium citrates food additive

Stomach discomfort at high intake: large sodium citrate doses can cause nausea, fullness, belching, or other gastrointestinal symptoms, especially when taken quickly.[3,4]
Sodium load: E331 contributes sodium, so very frequent intake from many processed foods may matter more for people who are trying to restrict sodium.
Blood-alkalising effect at supplement doses: high-dose sodium citrate can raise blood pH and bicarbonate, which is why it is used as a buffering supplement.[3,4].
High-dose supplement or medical use: sodium citrate can act as an alkalinising agent at doses far above normal food-additive exposure. This is why it is used in some medical products and sports-buffering supplements, but ordinary food use of E331 is not expected to dangerously raise blood pH. People with kidney disease, low urine output, sodium restriction, or electrolyte problems should avoid high-dose sodium citrate unless supervised by a clinician.
Low concern at normal food levels: ordinary use as an acidity regulator or emulsifying salt is not linked with a clear recurring organ-toxicity signal.[1,2]

Should You Avoid E331 – Sodium citrates food additive?

Most people do not need to avoid E331. It is a useful acidity regulator and stabiliser, and the available evidence supports low concern at normal food-use levels. People who need strict sodium control, have kidney disease, or use citrate medicines should watch total citrate and sodium exposure, especially from supplements or repeated highly processed foods.[3,4]

Common uses of E331 – Sodium citrates food additive

Processed cheese and cheese spreads, where it helps emulsify and smooth texture
Dairy desserts and ice cream, where it supports acidity and stability
Jams, jellies, and fruit preparations, where it helps control acidity
Soft drinks and powdered drinks, where it buffers sourness
Confectionery and desserts, where it helps manage flavour and pH

Common names and synonyms of E331 – Sodium citrates food additive

Sodium citrates
Sodium citrate
Trisodium citrate
Monosodium citrate
Disodium citrate
Citric acid sodium salts
E331
INS 331

What is E331 – Sodium citrates food additive?

E331 is the E-number for sodium citrates, including monosodium citrate, disodium citrate, and trisodium citrate. These salts are made from citric acid after one, two, or three acidic hydrogen atoms are replaced by sodium. This creates a buffering system that controls acidity without making food taste as sharply acidic as citric acid itself.

In food technology, sodium citrates dissolve well, regulate pH, bind metal ions, and improve stability. Their best-known role is in processed cheese, where they help proteins and fat stay in a smooth emulsion. In drinks and desserts, they help balance sourness and keep acidity consistent.

Where is E331 – Sodium citrates food additive allowed (EU vs US)?

In the EU, E331 sodium citrates are authorised food additives in permitted categories, especially as acidity regulators and stabilisers. In the US, sodium citrate is affirmed as GRAS for food use under good manufacturing practice. Other major jurisdictions generally regulate sodium citrates by food category and purity specifications rather than treating them as banned additives.

E331 – Sodium citrates