Food Safety Substance
Trisodium citrateE331
Trisodium citrate (E331) is a food additive with PUBLISHED in the EU, GRAS in the US, and data from 6 regulatory sources.
Substance Identity
Resolved identifiers used to render this food-safety record.
Multi-Jurisdiction Comparison
Side-by-side status rows for the same resolved substance across public food regulators.
| Jurisdiction | Authority | Status | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| European Union | EU Commission | PUBLISHED | EU additive listing; Annex II entry |
| Codex | Codex Alimentarius | Listed | Acidity regulator; Emulsifier; Emulsifying salt; Sequestrant; Stabilizer |
EU Food Additive Status
EU Commission food-additive listing rows from eu_food_additives.
| Jurisdiction | E-number | Status | Type | Name | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| European Union | E331 | PUBLISHED | substanceFAD | Sodium citrates | - |
EU Annex II Authorised Uses
Authorised additive rows and use conditions from EU Annex II tables.
| Jurisdiction | E-number | Name | INS | Policy item | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| European Union | E331 | Sodium citrates | - | POL-FAD-IMPORT-3100 | - |
Conditions and restrictions
| Jurisdiction | Food category | Restriction | Comment | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| European Union | 4.2.3 canned or bottled fruit and vegetables | quantum satis | - | EU Annex II Union List |
| European Union | 4.2.4.2 compote excluding products covered by category 16 | quantum satis | - | EU Annex II Union List |
| European Union | 4.2.5 jam jellies and marmalades and similar products | quantum satis | - | EU Annex II Union List |
| European Union | 4.2.5.1 Extra jam and extra jelly as defined by Directive 2001/113/EC | quantum satis | - | EU Annex II Union List |
| European Union | 4.2.5.2 Jam, jellies and marmalades and sweetened chestnut puree as defined by Directive 2001/113/EC | quantum satis | - | EU Annex II Union List |
| European Union | 4.2.5.3 other similar fruit or vegetable spreads | quantum satis | - | EU Annex II Union List |
| European Union | 8.2 Meat preparations as defined by Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 | quantum satis | only gehakt, prepacked preparations of fresh minced meat and meat preparations to which other ingredients than additives or salt have been added | EU Annex II Union List |
| European Union | 9.1.1 Unprocessed fish | quantum satis | - | EU Annex II Union List |
| European Union | 9.1.2 Unprocessed molluscs and crustaceans | quantum satis | - | EU Annex II Union List |
| European Union | 11.4.1 table-top sweeteners in liquid form | quantum satis | - | EU Annex II Union List |
| European Union | 11.4.2 table-top sweeteners in powder form | quantum satis | - | EU Annex II Union List |
| European Union | 11.4.3 table-top sweeteners in tablets | quantum satis | - | EU Annex II Union List |
| European Union | 13.1 foods for infants and young children | - | For uses in nutrient preparations under the condition that the maximum level in foods mentioned in Part E, points 01.10 and 13.1, of Annex II is not exceeded and the conditions of... | EU Annex II Union List |
| European Union | 13.1.1 infant formulae as defined by Regulation (EU) No 609/2013 | ML 2000 mg/kg | E 331 and E 332 are authorised individually or in combination and in conformity with the the limits set in Directives 2006/141/EC, 2006/125/EC, 1999/21/EC | EU Annex II Union List |
| European Union | 13.1.2 follow-on formulae as defined by by Regulation (EU) No 609/2013 | ML 2000 mg/kg | E 331 and E 332 are authorised individually or in combination and in conformity with the the limits set in Directives 2006/141/EC, 2006/125/EC, 1999/21/EC | EU Annex II Union List |
| European Union | 13.1.3 Processed cereal-based foods and baby foods as defined by Regulation (EU) No 609/2013 | quantum satis | only processed cereal based foods and baby foods, only for pH adjustment | EU Annex II Union List |
| European Union | 1.1 unflavoured pasteurised and sterilised (including UHT) milk | ML 4000 mg/l | only UHT goat milk | EU Food Additives Database |
| European Union | 1.5 dehydrated milk as defined by directive 2001/114/ec | quantum satis | - | EU Food Additives Database |
| European Union | 4.1.3 frozen fruit and vegetables | quantum satis | - | EU Food Additives Database |
| European Union | 4.2.3 canned or bottled fruit and vegetables | quantum satis | - | EU Food Additives Database |
| European Union | 4.2.4.2 compote excluding products covered by category 16 | quantum satis | - | EU Food Additives Database |
| European Union | 4.2.5.1 Extra jam and extra jelly as defined by Directive 2001/113/EC | quantum satis | - | EU Food Additives Database |
| European Union | 4.2.5 jam jellies and marmalades and similar products | quantum satis | - | EU Food Additives Database |
| European Union | 4.2.5.3 other similar fruit or vegetable spreads | quantum satis | - | EU Food Additives Database |
| European Union | 9.1.1 Unprocessed fish | quantum satis | - | EU Food Additives Database |
| European Union | 9.1.2 Unprocessed molluscs and crustaceans | quantum satis | - | EU Food Additives Database |
| European Union | 11.4.1 table-top sweeteners in liquid form | quantum satis | - | EU Food Additives Database |
| European Union | 11.4.2 table-top sweeteners in powder form | quantum satis | - | EU Food Additives Database |
| European Union | 11.4.3 table-top sweeteners in tablets | quantum satis | - | EU Food Additives Database |
| European Union | 2.1 fats and oils essentially free from water (excluding anhydrous milk fat) | quantum satis | except virgin oils and olive oils | EU Food Additives Database |
| European Union | 4.1.2 peeled cut and shredded fruit and vegetables | quantum satis | only prepacked refrigerated unprocessed fruit and vegetables ready for consumption and prepacked unprocessed and peeled potatoes | EU Food Additives Database |
| European Union | 13.1.1 infant formulae as defined by Regulation (EU) No 609/2013 | ML 2000 mg/kg | E 331 and E 332 are authorised individually or in combination and in conformity with the the limits set in Directives 2006/141/EC, 2006/125/EC, 1999/21/EC | EU Food Additives Database |
| European Union | 13.1.2 follow-on formulae as defined by by Regulation (EU) No 609/2013 | ML 2000 mg/kg | E 331 and E 332 are authorised individually or in combination and in conformity with the the limits set in Directives 2006/141/EC, 2006/125/EC, 1999/21/EC | EU Food Additives Database |
| European Union | 13.1.3 Processed cereal-based foods and baby foods as defined by Regulation (EU) No 609/2013 | quantum satis | only processed cereal based foods and baby foods, only for pH adjustment | EU Food Additives Database |
| European Union | 8.2 Meat preparations as defined by Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 | quantum satis | only gehakt, prepacked preparations of fresh minced meat and meat preparations to which other ingredients than additives or salt have been added | EU Food Additives Database |
| European Union | 13.1 foods for infants and young children | - | For uses in nutrient preparations under the condition that the maximum level in foods mentioned in Part E, points 01.10 and 13.1, of Annex II is not exceeded and the conditions of... | EU Food Additives Database |
| European Union | 1.9 Edible caseinates | quantum satis | - | EU Food Additives Database |
| European Union | 1.10 Milk-based drinks and similar products intended for young children* | ML 2000 mg/l | - | EU Food Additives Database |
| European Union | 4.2.5.2 Jam, jellies and marmalades and sweetened chestnut puree as defined by Directive 2001/113/EC | quantum satis | - | EU Food Additives Database |
Codex GSFA Status
Codex Alimentarius GSFA permissions and maximum-use rows.
| Jurisdiction | INS / E-number | Function | Food category | Max level | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Codex | 331(iii) | Acidity regulator; Emulsifier; Emulsifying salt; Sequestrant; Stabilizer | 01.1.1 Fluid milk (plain) | GMP | For use in sterilized and UHT treated milks only.; For use as emulsifier or stabilizer only.; Except for use in sterilized and UHT milk from bovine species at 1000 mg/kg expressed... |
| Codex | 331(iii) | Acidity regulator; Emulsifier; Emulsifying salt; Sequestrant; Stabilizer | 01.1.2 Other fluid milk (plain) | GMP | Excluding lactose reduced milks. |
| Codex | 331(iii) | Acidity regulator; Emulsifier; Emulsifying salt; Sequestrant; Stabilizer | 01.1.3.2 Fluid buttermilk (plain) | GMP | For use in heat-treated buttermilk only. |
| Codex | 331(iii) | Acidity regulator; Emulsifier; Emulsifying salt; Sequestrant; Stabilizer | 01.2.1.1 Fermented milks (plain), not heat-treated after fermentation | GMP | For use in products conforming to the Standard for Fermented Milks (CXS243-2003) only.; For use in reconstituted and recombined products conforming to the Standard for Fermented... |
| Codex | 331(iii) | Acidity regulator; Emulsifier; Emulsifying salt; Sequestrant; Stabilizer | 01.2.1.2 Fermented milks (plain), heat-treated after fermentation | GMP | For use in plain fermented milks and drinks based on fermented milks that are heat treated after fermentation conforming to the Standard for Fermented Milks (CXS 243-2003) only... |
| Codex | 331(iii) | Acidity regulator; Emulsifier; Emulsifying salt; Sequestrant; Stabilizer | 01.2.2 Renneted milk (plain) | GMP | - |
| Codex | 331(iii) | Acidity regulator; Emulsifier; Emulsifying salt; Sequestrant; Stabilizer | 01.4.1 Pasteurized cream (plain) | GMP | Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Cream and Prepared Creams (CXS 288-1976) |
| Codex | 331(iii) | Acidity regulator; Emulsifier; Emulsifying salt; Sequestrant; Stabilizer | 01.4.2 Sterilized and UHT creams, whipping and whipped creams, and reduced fat creams (plain) | GMP | - |
| Codex | 331(iii) | Acidity regulator; Emulsifier; Emulsifying salt; Sequestrant; Stabilizer | 01.8.2 Dried whey and whey products, excluding whey cheeses | GMP | Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Dairy Permeate Powders (CXS 331-2017). |
| Codex | 331(iii) | Acidity regulator; Emulsifier; Emulsifying salt; Sequestrant; Stabilizer | 02.1.1 Butter oil, anhydrous milkfat, ghee | GMP | Excluding anhydrous milkfat. |
| Codex | 331(iii) | Acidity regulator; Emulsifier; Emulsifying salt; Sequestrant; Stabilizer | 02.1.2 Vegetable oils and fats | GMP | Excluding virgin and cold pressed oils in products conforming to the Standard for Edible Fats and Oils not Covered by Individual Standards (CXS 19-1981) and the Standard for Named... |
| Codex | 331(iii) | Acidity regulator; Emulsifier; Emulsifying salt; Sequestrant; Stabilizer | 02.1.3 Lard, tallow, fish oil, and other animal fats | GMP | For use in products conforming to the Standard for Edible Fats and Oils not Covered by Individual Standards (CXS 19-1981) and Named Animal Fats (CXS 211-1999).; Excluding products... |
| Codex | 331(iii) | Acidity regulator; Emulsifier; Emulsifying salt; Sequestrant; Stabilizer | 04.2.1.1 Untreated fresh vegetables (including mushrooms and fungi, roots and tubers, pulses and legumes [(including soybeans)], and aloe vera), seaweeds, and nuts and seeds | GMP | Excluding products conforming to the Regional Standard for Chanterelles (CXS 40R-2017).; For use in edible fungi and fungus products only.; Excluding products conforming to the... |
| Codex | 331(iii) | Acidity regulator; Emulsifier; Emulsifying salt; Sequestrant; Stabilizer | 04.2.2.1 Frozen vegetables (including mushrooms and fungi, roots and tubers, pulses and legumes, and aloe vera), seaweeds, and nuts and seeds | GMP | For use in non-standardized food.; For use in French fried potatoes conforming to the Standard for Quick Frozen Vegetables (CXS 320-2015) as a sequestrant. |
| Codex | 331(iii) | Acidity regulator; Emulsifier; Emulsifying salt; Sequestrant; Stabilizer | 04.2.2.7 Fermented vegetable (including mushrooms and fungi, roots and tubers, pulses and legumes, and aloe vera) and seaweed products, excluding fermented soybean products of food categories 06.8.6, 06.8.7, 12.9.1, 12.9.2.1 and 12.9.2.3 | GMP | Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Gochujang (CXS 294-2009). |
| Codex | 331(iii) | Acidity regulator; Emulsifier; Emulsifying salt; Sequestrant; Stabilizer | 06.2.1 Flours | GMP | For use at GMP in full fat soy flour only.; Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Wheat Flour (CXS 152-1985). |
| Codex | 331(iii) | Acidity regulator; Emulsifier; Emulsifying salt; Sequestrant; Stabilizer | 08.1.1 Fresh meat, poultry, and game, whole pieces or cuts | GMP | For use in glaze, coatings or decorations for fruit, vegetables, meat or fish only.; For use in fresh meat, poultry and game products only. |
| Codex | 331(iii) | Acidity regulator; Emulsifier; Emulsifying salt; Sequestrant; Stabilizer | 08.1.2 Fresh meat, poultry, and game, comminuted | GMP | For use in fresh minced meat which contains other ingredients apart from comminuted meat only. |
| Codex | 331(iii) | Acidity regulator; Emulsifier; Emulsifying salt; Sequestrant; Stabilizer | 09.2 Processed fish and fish products, including mollusks, crustaceans, and echinoderms | GMP | Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Quick Frozen Shrimps and Prawns (CODEX STAN 92-1981).; Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Crackers from Marine and... |
| Codex | 331(iii) | Acidity regulator; Emulsifier; Emulsifying salt; Sequestrant; Stabilizer | 10.2.1 Liquid egg products | GMP | - |
| Codex | 331(iii) | Acidity regulator; Emulsifier; Emulsifying salt; Sequestrant; Stabilizer | 10.2.2 Frozen egg products | GMP | - |
| Codex | 331(iii) | Acidity regulator; Emulsifier; Emulsifying salt; Sequestrant; Stabilizer | 11.4 Other sugars and syrups (e.g. xylose, maple syrup, sugar toppings) | GMP | Excluding maple syrup. |
| Codex | 331(iii) | Acidity regulator; Emulsifier; Emulsifying salt; Sequestrant; Stabilizer | 12.1.2 Salt Substitutes | GMP | - |
| Codex | 331(iii) | Acidity regulator; Emulsifier; Emulsifying salt; Sequestrant; Stabilizer | 13.1.1 Infant formulae | GMP | Within the limits for sodium, calcium, and potassium specified in the Standard for Infant Formula and Formulas for Special Medical Purposes Intended for Infants (CXS 72-1981):... |
| Codex | 331(iii) | Acidity regulator; Emulsifier; Emulsifying salt; Sequestrant; Stabilizer | 13.1.2 Follow-up formulae | GMP | Maximum use level is expressed as mg additive/L of food.; For use in follow-up formula for older infants: within the limit for sodium specified in the standard for Follow-up... |
| Codex | 331(iii) | Acidity regulator; Emulsifier; Emulsifying salt; Sequestrant; Stabilizer | 13.1.3 Formulae for special medical purposes for infants | GMP | Within the limits for sodium, calcium, and potassium specified in the Standard for Infant Formula and Formulas for Special Medical Purposes Intended for Infants (CXS 72-1981):... |
| Codex | 331(iii) | Acidity regulator; Emulsifier; Emulsifying salt; Sequestrant; Stabilizer | 13.2 Complementary foods for infants and young children | 5,000 mg/kg | Within the limit for sodium listed in the Codex Standard for Processed Cereal-based Foods for Infants and Young Children (CODEX STAN 74-1981) for foods corresponding to that... |
| Codex | 331(iii) | Acidity regulator; Emulsifier; Emulsifying salt; Sequestrant; Stabilizer | 14.1.5 Coffee, coffee substitutes, tea, herbal infusions, and other hot cereal and grain beverages, excluding cocoa | GMP | For use in ready-to-drink products and pre-mixes for ready-to-drink products only. |
JECFA ADI Values
JECFA ADI records and evaluation years.
| Jurisdiction | Chemical name | JECFA no. | CAS | ADI | ADI upper | Function | Evaluation year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JECFA | TRISODIUM CITRATE | - | 68-04-2 | NOT LIMITED ("Not specified") | - | ACIDITY_REGULATOR, SEQUESTRANT, STABILIZER | 1973 |
Cross-Reference to Cosmetics / Chemicals / Pharma
Same-CAS public rows from adjacent Roots verticals where available.
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
This substance has different regulatory treatment across food, cosmetics, and industrial use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Food-use, safety, ADI, and cross-vertical answers mirrored into FAQPage JSON-LD.
What is Trisodium citrate used for in food?
Trisodium citrate appears in food-use rows as: Antioxidant/Acidity regulator; Acidity regulator; Emulsifier; Emulsifying salt; Sequestrant; Stabilizer.
Is Trisodium citrate / E331 safe?
This page does not assign a standalone safety verdict; it renders public regulatory evidence. ADI/reference value: ADI NOT LIMITED ("Not specified") mg/kg bw. EU status evidence: PUBLISHED. US/FDA evidence: GRAS.
What is the ADI for Trisodium citrate?
Trisodium citrate has this ADI/reference value in the food-safety tables: ADI NOT LIMITED ("Not specified") mg/kg bw. Source: WHO JECFA.
Is Trisodium citrate also used in cosmetics?
Trisodium citrate has a same-CAS cosmetics cross-reference: Sodium Citrate, EU status permitted.