Is E331 halal?

What is E331?

Sodium citrates are the sodium salts of citric acid. They are made by neutralising citric acid, itself produced by fermentation, with sodium hydroxide or sodium carbonate. The code covers three forms: monosodium citrate (E331 i), disodium citrate (E331 ii) and trisodium citrate (E331 iii).

Why it's marked “Generally halal”

Sodium citrates combine fermentation-made citric acid with mineral sodium compounds. Neither part comes from animals and no alcohol is involved, so the additive is generally regarded as halal. It is closely linked to citric acid (E330), and the same reasoning applies.

How to check the label

No special check is needed for this additive. On labels it may appear as E331, sodium citrate or trisodium citrate, often listed as an acidity regulator.

Where you'll find it

• soft drinks
• processed cheese
• jams and jellies
• sweets
• dairy desserts

Good to know

• In processed cheese, sodium citrate works as an emulsifying salt that helps the cheese melt smoothly without separating into fat and protein.
• US rules list sodium citrate as generally recognised as safe and describe it as prepared by neutralising citric acid with sodium hydroxide or sodium carbonate.

Similar additives

• E270 Lactic acid Generally halal
• E330 Citric acid Generally halal
• E415 Xanthan gum Generally halal
• E621 Monosodium glutamate (MSG) Generally halal
• E260 Acetic acid Generally halal
• E296 Malic acid Generally halal

See all 89 E-numbers in the halal checker

This list describes where additives usually come from. It isn't a religious ruling, and manufacturers can change their sources. Last reviewed: 14 October 2026.

Sources

1. US 21 CFR 184.1751, sodium citrate
2. EU specifications for food additives, Regulation (EU) No 231/2012

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