Build my profileBuild my profile

Flavour enhancer

E631 (disodium inosinate): what it is, its sources, vegan or not

E631 can come from fish, meat or fermentation, and the pack rarely says which. Vegetarian and vegan profiles get Heads up: source not stated.

By Bravoora teamUpdated Sources checked 4 sourcesHow we check

Heads up

for a vegan profile

E631=source not stated

What is E631?

E631 (disodium inosinate) is a flavour enhancer, an additive that brings out the taste or smell a food already has.

What is E631 made from?

E631 can come from fish, meat or fermentation.

  • FishDeclared allergen
  • Meat
  • Fermentation

Is E631 vegan?

Heads up. Source not stated. E631 can come from fish, meat or fermentation. The pack does not have to say which, so the app says Heads up instead of guessing.

What the app says to each profile, and the reason it shows.

VeganHeads upSource not stated. E631 can come from fish, meat or fermentation. The pack does not have to say which, so the app says Heads up instead of guessing.
VegetarianHeads upSource not stated. E631 can come from fish, meat or fermentation. One of those is meat, fish or a slaughter by-product, and the pack does not have to say which.
Fish allergyHeads upIt can come from fish. In the EU, UK, US and Gulf a label must name fish when that is the source, so read the Contains line.

What other names does E631 have on a label?

On a label, E631 can also appear as “INS 631”, “Flavour enhancer (631)”, “Flavour enhancer (E631)”, “Disodium inosinate” or “IMP”.

Any of these on a pack means E631. The checker reads them all.

E631E 631E-631INS 631Flavour enhancer (631)Flavour enhancer (E631)Disodium inosinateIMPDisodium 5′-inosinate

What would change the answer for E631?

For E631, a stated source changes the answer. A pack that says “from fermentation” gives Fits you; one that says “from fish” gives Not for you. A list that is cut off or unreadable gets Needs one more scan.

Sources: EU, US and Codex additive rules

Where additives are listed and approved. Bravoora reads the source and the diet; it does not rate the hazard.

  1. EU Regulation 1333/2008 on food additives (the E-number list)
  2. EU Regulation 1169/2011, Annex II: the allergen sources a label must name
  3. US FDA: Food Additive Status List
  4. FAO/WHO Codex: General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA) online

Names and classes cross-checked with Open Food Facts (Open Database License).

Create a website profile with the things you avoid and the people you check for.

Build my profile

Save and edit your profile on this website. App transfer is not available yet.