INS 631 is the code for disodium inosinate
The other half of the standard savoury booster pair. Almost always found with INS 621.
- What it does
- Boosts savoury flavour A flavour enhancer
- Also printed as
- Sodium 5'-inosinate
- Vegetarian?
- Depends on the maker Source not stated on the label
- In the Zabel score
- 6 of the 20 additive points Method 1.0.0
- In our catalogue
- 198 packs List it in their ingredients
Is INS 631 vegetarian?
It depends on the maker. INS 631 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chips and crisps | 34% | |
| Noodles and pasta | 23% | |
| Other snacks | 12% | |
| Namkeen and savoury snacks | 10% | |
| Nuts and dried fruit | 9% | |
| Everything else | 13% |
Counted from the 198 packs in Zabel's catalogue that list INS 631, 173 of which have a food category so far. Counted 4 Nov 2026.
What does the evidence say about INS 631?
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 ADI concern has been identified at food levels. Like guanylate it is a purine, relevant to gout and uric acid management. Commercially it is often derived from fish (sardine) or meat, which matters for vegetarian and Jain diets and is not declared on Indian labels.
Does Zabel mark INS 631 down?
Yes, by 6 points. The additives part of the score starts at 20, and each code takes off a fixed amount set by the strength of the evidence about it, not by the fact that it is an additive (method 1.0.0). Read the method.
Questions people search
What is INS 631?
INS 631 is the code for disodium inosinate, a flavour enhancer. The other half of the standard savoury booster pair. Almost always found with INS 621.
Is INS 631 vegetarian?
It depends on the maker. INS 631 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 631?
No ADI concern has been identified at food levels. Like guanylate it is a purine, relevant to gout and uric acid management. Commercially it is often derived from fish (sardine) or meat, which matters for vegetarian and Jain diets and is not declared on Indian labels.
Does Zabel mark INS 631 down?
Yes, by 6 points. The additives part of the score starts at 20, and each code takes off a fixed amount set by the strength of the evidence about it, not by the fact that it is an additive (method 1.0.0).
What other names is INS 631 printed under?
Packs also print it as Sodium 5'-inosinate, or as the bare number 631 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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