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Sodium Citrate (E331) — What You Need to Know

Safe(10/10)Synthetic

The score is an eNumbers.org editorial summary, not an official agency rating or medical advice. Start with the regulatory status and primary sources below.

What Is Sodium Citrate?

Sodium citrate is the sodium salt of citric acid, one of the most widely used food additives in the world. It appears as a white crystalline powder with a pleasant, salty-sour taste. It serves as a highly effective pH buffer, emulsifier, and sequestrant across a vast range of food and beverage applications.

What Is It Used For?

Used as a buffering agent to maintain stable pH in beverages, as an emulsifier in processed cheese, and as a sequestrant that binds metal ions to prevent oxidation and off-flavors.

Function: Acidity regulator, emulsifier, sequestrant, buffering agent
30 mg
Dataset exposure estimate

Exposure figures are population-level references, not personal limits. Actual intake varies by diet, product and jurisdiction.

Regulatory & Editorial Context

📊
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
Not specified mg/kg bw/day
🏛️
Regulatory Status
🇺🇸 USA (FDA): GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe)
🇪🇺 EU (EFSA): ADI not specified — approved quantum satis (no maximum level, use at minimum needed)
⚠️ Key Concerns

One of the most widely used food additives globally. Acts as a buffer to maintain stable pH, an emulsifier in processed cheese, and a sequestrant that binds metal ions to prevent oxidation. Also used as an anticoagulant in blood banking (sodium citrate tubes). No safety concerns whatsoever. The body metabolizes citrate as part of the Krebs cycle. Used in medicine as an alkalizing agent for urinary tract.

Editorial context score

eNumbers.org currently assigns Sodium Citrate an editorial context label of Safe with a score of 10/10. This is 1.2 points above the database average for acidity regulators (8.8/10). Dataset reference year: 2017.

This score is not issued by EFSA, FDA, WHO or another regulator.

Commonly Found In

Soft drinksEnergy drinksProcessed cheeseIce creamGelatin dessertsMedications
Example brands:
Red BullGatoradeKraft (processed cheese)

Always check the label for E331 or 'Sodium Citrate'

▶Chemical Information
Formula: Na3C6H5O7
Molecular Weight: 258.07 g/mol
CAS Number: 6132-04-3
INS Number: INS 331
Also known as: E331, INS 331, Trisodium citrate, Sodium citrate dihydrate

Frequently Asked Questions about Sodium Citrate

Current dataset status: FDA — GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe); EFSA/EU — ADI not specified — approved quantum satis (no maximum level, use at minimum needed). Reported concerns: One of the most widely used food additives globally. Acts as a buffer to maintain stable pH, an emulsifier in processed cheese, and a sequestrant that binds metal ions to prevent oxidation. Also used as an anticoagulant in blood banking (sodium citrate tubes). No safety concerns whatsoever. The body metabolizes citrate as part of the Krebs cycle. Used in medicine as an alkalizing agent for urinary tract. Regulatory status and individual risk are not the same; check the primary sources and permitted conditions of use.

Quick Facts

E-Number
E331
INS Number
INS 331
Category
Acidity Regulators
Origin
Synthetic
FDA Status
GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe)
EFSA Status
ADI not specified — approved quantum satis (no maximum level, use at minimum needed)
ADI
Not specified mg/kg bw/day
Dataset Review
2017
Ingredient-level Dietary Notes
Vegan: ✅ YesHalal: ✅ YesKosher: ✅ YesGluten-Free: ✅ Yes

Carriers, processing aids and product certification can change suitability. Verify the final label and certifier.

Quick Links

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for health-related decisions.

Related Additives

Other acidity regulators in the same family

Citric Acid (E330)Calcium Citrate (E333)Sodium Lactate (E325)Sodium Ascorbate (E301)