INS 331 is the code for sodium citrates
Buffers acidity so a product does not taste harshly sour, and keeps processed cheese and cream smooth.
- What it does
- Controls acidity An acidity regulator
- Also printed as
- Trisodium citrate
- Vegetarian?
- Vegetarian From minerals
- In the Zabel score
- Takes no points off Method 1.0.0
- In our catalogue
- 187 packs List it in their ingredients
Is INS 331 vegetarian?
INS 331 is from minerals, so it does not by itself make a food non-vegetarian. The green or brown mark on the pack is still the declaration to go by, because it covers every other ingredient too.
| Food category | Share | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| Carbonated soft drinks | 39% | |
| Other beverages | 19% | |
| Yoghurt and curd | 7% | |
| Fruit juices and nectars | 7% | |
| Biscuits and cookies | 6% | |
| Everything else | 22% |
Counted from the 187 packs in Zabel's catalogue that list INS 331, 161 of which have a food category so far. Counted 4 Nov 2026.
What does the evidence say about INS 331?
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.
No numerical limit and no identified concern at food levels. It does contribute a small amount of sodium, which counts towards the salt total.
Does Zabel mark INS 331 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 331?
INS 331 is the code for sodium citrates, an acidity regulator. Buffers acidity so a product does not taste harshly sour, and keeps processed cheese and cream smooth.
Is INS 331 vegetarian?
INS 331 is from minerals, so it does not by itself make a food non-vegetarian. The green or brown mark on the pack is still the declaration to go by, because it covers every other ingredient too.
What does the evidence say about INS 331?
No numerical limit and no identified concern at food levels. It does contribute a small amount of sodium, which counts towards the salt total.
Does Zabel mark INS 331 down?
No. On the evidence we hold it takes nothing off the score (method 1.0.0).
What other names is INS 331 printed under?
Packs also print it as Trisodium citrate, or as the bare number 331 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
Point the camera at the pack.
Zabel reads every INS code on it, shows the score, and shows the working.