InfoCons Consumer Protection : Understanding E331 – Sodium Citrate – Food Additives and Prevention
Food additives E331(I) – Monosodium Citrate, E331(II) – Disodium Citrate, and E331(III) – Trisodium Citrate are substances with sequestering, stabilizing, buffering, and synergistic properties.
Sodium citrate is obtained by treating a concentrated aqueous solution of citric acid (50%) with a concentrated sodium hydroxide solution (50%) until a pH of 8.0–8.5 is reached. The reaction is exothermic and is carried out with efficient cooling. The resulting solution is decolorized using animal charcoal, evaporated, and the sodium salt crystallizes as a dihydrate.
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Which Foods Contain Food Additives E331 (I, II, III)?
Food additives E331 (I, II, III) are used in the following food products:
- Jams, jellies, marmalades
- Fruit-based spreads and purées, including low-calorie products
- Partially and fully dehydrated milk
- Edible caseinates
- Cheese products (cheese sauces, cheese nachos)
- Frozen fruits and vegetables
- Canned fruits and vegetables
- Fruit compotes
- Unprocessed fish, crustaceans, and mollusks, including refrigerated and frozen products
- Non-emulsified animal and vegetable oils and fats
- Fresh minced meat preparations
- Tabletop sweeteners in liquid, powder, or tablet form
- Infant formulas
- Carbonated beverages
- Processed cereal-based foods and foods for children
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Where Else Can Additive E331 Be Found?
Sodium citrate is also found in medications used for the symptomatic treatment of occasional constipation, in medicines that relieve pain, inflammation, and fever in children, and in other pharmaceutical products used to treat various conditions.
Sodium citrate is used as an anticoagulant during blood collection or storage because it acts as a chelating agent for calcium ions (Ca²⁺), binding them to form calcium citrate, which is non-ionized. It is used in coagulation tests and in determining the erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
Sodium citrate is widely used in phosphate-free ecological liquid detergents because it is environmentally harmless, being a metabolite found in all living organisms. Due to its easy biodegradability and low toxicity to aquatic life, it is considered an environmentally friendly cleaning agent.
Sodium citrates can also be used in dishwashing and laundry detergents as chelating agents because of their ability to bind metal ions (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Fe²⁺).
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Main Functions of E331 (Sodium Citrate):
- Acidity Regulator: Adjusts the pH of foods
- Antioxidant: Protects foods against oxidation
- Sequestering Agent: Binds calcium, magnesium, and iron ions, preventing unwanted reactions (also used as an anticoagulant)
- Flavor Enhancer: Improves taste
- Preservative: Helps extend shelf life
Uses:
- Dairy, fruit, vegetable, oil, and fat-based products
- Fresh minced meat preparations
- Eco-friendly detergents (as a chelating agent)
- Medicines (anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, laxative)
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