Foods Containing E634 (Calcium 5'-Ribonucleotides)
E634 (Calcium 5'-Ribonucleotides) is a blend of inosinate and guanylate that can be animal-derived, used as a flavour enhancer to help boost the existing savoury flavour of foods. Here's where you're most likely to find it on food labels.
Common foods that contain E634
E634 is used across crisps, instant noodles, soups, stock cubes, savoury snacks and ready meals. The foods where it appears most often include:
- Crisps
- Instant noodles
- Soups
- Stock cubes
- Savoury snacks and ready meals
Exact usage varies by brand and recipe — the only way to know for certain whether a specific product contains E634 is to check its ingredients list, where it must be declared by law, either as "E634" or as "Calcium 5'-Ribonucleotides".
How to spot E634 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: E634" or "flavour enhancers: calcium 5'-ribonucleotides". In the US the E-number system isn't used, so look for the full name "Calcium 5'-Ribonucleotides" instead.
Should you avoid foods containing E634?
E634 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 E634.
Full guide to E634: 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).