Home
›
Sodium Succinate
Sodium Succinate
Also known as: E638
Low concern
Succinic acid and its salts occur naturally in foods. FDA permits succinic acid as GRAS for general purpose.
Found in
14 products
E-number
E638
What it is
Sodium succinate, the disodium salt of succinic acid; sometimes used as a flavor enhancer or buffering agent.
Flavor enhancer / acidity regulator imparting savory/umami notes.
Why it's flagged
- Adds sodium load
- Limited modern toxicology data specifically on E638 vs. parent succinic acid
What regulators actually say
"Succinic acid... is generally recognized as safe when used in accordance with good manufacturing practice."
Regulatory status
United States — FDA
Succinic acid GRAS under 21 CFR 184.1091; sodium succinate permitted as multipurpose food substance
European Union — EFSA
Sodium succinate (E638) historically listed but not authorized under current EU Regulation 1333/2008
Scan it before you buy it
Get Ube on iOS or Android — point at any barcode, see what's actually in there.
Get the app