# Trisodium Citrate (E331)

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**Safety rating:** SAFE
**E-number:** E331
**CAS number:** 68-04-2
**Category:** colorant
**FDA GRAS:** yes
**Adverse events (FDA AERS):** 0
**FDA recalls:** 0
**Last updated:** 2026-04-04

## Summary

Trisodium citrate is a sodium salt of citric acid used in food production as a pH control agent, emulsifier, and sequestrant. It helps regulate acidity, improve texture, and prevent spoilage in a wide variety of processed foods and beverages.

## Regulatory status

| Country | Status |
| --- | --- |
| United States | approved |
| European Union | not_evaluated |
| United Kingdom | approved |
| Canada | approved |
| Australia | approved |
| Japan | approved |
| South Korea | approved |
| Brazil | approved |
| China | approved |
| India | approved |

## Detailed analysis

## What is Trisodium Citrate?

Trisodium citrate (CAS Number: 68-04-2) is the trisodium salt of citric acid, a naturally occurring organic acid found in citrus fruits. It appears as a white crystalline powder or granules and is highly soluble in water. The compound functions as a multi-purpose food additive with several distinct roles in food formulation and processing.

## Common Uses

Trisodium citrate is widely used across the food and beverage industry due to its versatility. In cheese production, it serves as an emulsifier salt, helping to create smooth, uniform textures in processed cheese products. It is commonly found in dairy products, including cheese spreads, evaporated milk, and ice cream.

In beverages, trisodium citrate functions as a pH control agent, helping manufacturers maintain the desired acidity level in soft drinks, energy drinks, and juice-based products. The additive also acts as a sequestrant, binding to metal ions that could otherwise cause oxidation and spoilage in foods containing fats or oils.

Additional applications include use in baking, canned vegetables, canned meats, and various processed foods where pH stabilization and shelf-life extension are important. It is also used in some nutritional and pharmaceutical formulations as a nutrient supplement and pH buffer.

## Safety Assessment

Trisodium citrate has been extensively evaluated for safety. The FDA recognizes it as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS), meaning it is approved for use in food with a reasonable certainty of no harm when used as intended. According to FDA records, there have been zero reported adverse events associated with trisodium citrate in food, and zero product recalls specifically attributed to this additive.

The safety profile of trisodium citrate is supported by its chemical nature: citric acid and its salts are naturally present in many foods and are readily metabolized by the human body. The sodium content is a consideration for individuals managing sodium intake, but the amounts used in food products are generally modest relative to total dietary sodium consumption.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has also reviewed citrates and citric acid salts and maintains a positive safety assessment for use as food additives across approved applications.

## Regulatory Status

Trisodium citrate is approved for use as a food additive in the United States under FDA regulations. It is listed in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) as a GRAS substance with no specific limitations on use levels, provided it is used in accordance with good manufacturing practices.

The additive is also approved in the European Union, where it is listed as food additive E331(iii) under EU Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008. It is permitted in numerous food categories with established maximum use levels depending on the product type.

Canada, Australia, Japan, and most other regulatory jurisdictions similarly approve trisodium citrate for food use, reflecting its widespread international acceptance and safety profile.

## Key Studies

Scientific literature on citrates and citric acid salts demonstrates their safety and efficacy as food additives. Research supports their use as emulsifiers and stabilizers in dairy applications, with no evidence of adverse health effects at typical dietary exposure levels.

Toxicological studies have established that trisodium citrate does not pose genotoxic or reproductive risks. The compound is metabolized efficiently in the body, and safety margins are substantial between approved use levels and any levels that might produce adverse effects in animal studies.

## Brands using Trisodium Citrate

- Reese's (2 products)
- Actual Candy (1 product)
- Coca Cola (1 product)
- Coca-Cola (1 product)
- Danone (1 product)
- Frank Cooper's (1 product)
- Hot Tamale (1 product)
- JFC International Inc. (1 product)
- McGaw Export, Inc. (1 product)
- Monster (1 product)
- Orgain (1 product)
- Robinsons (1 product)
- bettergoods (1 product)
- ice (1 product)

## Sources

- FDA Substances Added to Food (CFSAN)
- OpenFDA Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS)
- OpenFDA Food Recalls
- EFSA OpenFoodTox
- EU Food Additive Portal

## Citation

Additive Facts. "Trisodium Citrate (E331) — Safety, regulation, and evidence." https://additivefacts.com/additives/trisodium-citrate. Accessed 2026-05-20.