Foods Containing E631 (Disodium Inosinate)
E631 (Disodium Inosinate) is a savoury flavour booster that is often derived from meat or fish — including pork — so vegans and halal consumers must verify the source. Here's where you're most likely to find it on food labels.
Common foods that contain E631
E631 is used across crisps, instant noodles, soups, stock cubes, savoury snacks and ready meals. The foods where it appears most often include:
- Crisps and savoury snacks
- Instant noodles
- Flavoured rice
- Stock cubes
- Ready meals
Exact usage varies by brand and recipe — the only way to know for certain whether a specific product contains E631 is to check its ingredients list, where it must be declared by law, either as "E631" or as "Disodium Inosinate".
How to spot E631 on a label
In the UK and EU, additives must appear in the ingredients list with their function and either their E-number or full name — for example "flavour enhancers: E631" or "flavour enhancers: disodium inosinate". In the US the E-number system isn't used, so look for the full name "Disodium Inosinate" instead.
Should you avoid foods containing E631?
E631 is considered safe. It is authorised across the EU, UK and US, and safety evaluations by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have not identified health concerns at the levels used in food. For most people there is no reason to avoid E631.
Full guide to E631: safety, vegan and halal status →
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Additive data sourced from Open Food Facts (ODbL licence) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).