E331Acidity regulatorEmulsifying saltStabiliser
What Is E331? Sodium Citrates and Where It Is Used
Also known as: Trisodium citrate
E331 is the shared number of the sodium salts of citric acid, acidity regulators that soften and balance sourness. They are common in iced tea, soda, instant coffee and energy drinks.
- In the Besin database
- 536 products
- About 4.6 in every 100 products
- Source
- Plant-based and mineral
- Acceptable daily intake (ADI)
- No numerical value set
What does E331 do?
In drinks they soften the sharp sourness of citric acid and keep the pH steady. In processed cheese and coffee creamers they help proteins stay smooth.
How is it made?
Made by neutralising citric acid (E330) with sodium carbonate or sodium hydroxide.
Vegan and halal: No animal raw material is used; it suits vegan and vegetarian diets.
Which products contain E331?
536 of the 11,663 packaged products in the Besin database list E331 (Sodium citrates) in their ingredients. The categories where it appears most often:
- Iced Tea85 products
- Soda51 products
- Instant Coffee33 products
- Energy Drinks27 products
- Cola23 products
- Mini Cakes21 products
Numbers as of the database snapshot of October 18, 2026.
Official evaluation
The international JECFA committee saw no need for a numerical ADI for citrates. EFSA has collected data for its re-evaluation programme; When this page was written we found no finished EFSA re-evaluation opinion for it. It is permitted in Türkiye and the EU.
Food additives are regulated by the EU food additives regulation (Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008) and, in Türkiye, the Turkish Food Codex Regulation on Food Additives (Official Gazette, 30.06.2013, No. 28693). The ADI is the amount estimated to be safe to take every day over a lifetime, given per kilogram of body weight.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between E331 and E330?
E330 is citric acid itself and gives sourness. E331 is its sodium salt; it softens the sourness and balances acidity. The two are often used together in drinks.
Is E331 salt?
Chemically it is a salt and contains sodium, but it is not table salt (sodium chloride).
Which products contain E331 most often?
In the Besin database it appears most often in iced teas, sodas, instant coffees, energy drinks and colas.
Related additives
Sources
- EFSA: Food additives
- EFSA: Call for data for the re-evaluation (including E330 and E331)
- the EU food additives regulation (Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008) and, in Türkiye, the Turkish Food Codex Regulation on Food Additives (Official Gazette, 30.06.2013, No. 28693)
Last reviewed: . This page is for information only and is not medical advice. To report a mistake, write to iletisim@besin.app.