INS 322 is the code for lecithins
Keeps fat and water mixed. Almost universal in chocolate, biscuits, margarine and instant powders.
- What it does
- Keeps oil and water mixed An emulsifier
- Also printed as
- Soya lecithin · Sunflower lecithin
- Vegetarian?
- Depends on the maker Source not stated on the label
- In the Zabel score
- Takes no points off Method 1.0.0
- In our catalogue
- 553 packs List it in their ingredients
Is INS 322 vegetarian?
It depends on the maker. INS 322 can be made from plant or animal sources and the label does not say which, so the code tells you nothing either way. The green or brown mark on the pack is the declaration to go by.
| Food category | Share | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| Biscuits and cookies | 47% | |
| Chocolate | 14% | |
| Ice cream and frozen desserts | 8% | |
| Breakfast cereals | 6% | |
| Sweets and candy | 5% | |
| Everything else | 19% |
Counted from the 553 packs in Zabel's catalogue that list INS 322, 478 of which have a food category so far. Counted 4 Nov 2026.
What does the evidence say about INS 322?
We grade an additive by the evidence about it, not by whether it sounds like a chemical, and we make no claim about whether a pack complies with FSSAI rules.
A well-established emulsifier with no ADI limit; JECFA has raised no concern at food levels. Usually from soya, sometimes sunflower or egg. Soya lecithin is an allergen declaration in India, and egg-derived lecithin matters for vegetarian and Jain diets - the label rarely says which.
Does Zabel mark INS 322 down?
No. On the evidence we hold it takes nothing off the score (method 1.0.0). Read the method.
Questions people search
What is INS 322?
INS 322 is the code for lecithins, an emulsifier. Keeps fat and water mixed. Almost universal in chocolate, biscuits, margarine and instant powders.
Is INS 322 vegetarian?
It depends on the maker. INS 322 can be made from plant or animal sources and the label does not say which, so the code tells you nothing either way. The green or brown mark on the pack is the declaration to go by.
What does the evidence say about INS 322?
A well-established emulsifier with no ADI limit; JECFA has raised no concern at food levels. Usually from soya, sometimes sunflower or egg. Soya lecithin is an allergen declaration in India, and egg-derived lecithin matters for vegetarian and Jain diets - the label rarely says which.
Does Zabel mark INS 322 down?
No. On the evidence we hold it takes nothing off the score (method 1.0.0).
What other names is INS 322 printed under?
Packs also print it as Soya lecithin and Sunflower lecithin, or as the bare number 322 in brackets after the ingredient.
Sources
- 01 Evaluations of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) WHO / FAO, 2024
- 02 Zabel catalogue - pack counts, food categories and the codes printed alongside 4 Nov 2026
Entry updated 19 Sep 2026 · Not reviewed by a dietitian yet · Report an error on this page
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