Some routes to it require the animal to die and some do not, and the label rarely says which was used.
The two diets, side by side
A vegetarian diet excludes animals that were killed. A vegan diet excludes animal products entirely, whether the animal survived or not. Disodium Inosinate can fall either side of that line depending on how it was made.
Disodium inosinate depends on how it was made. The leading producers report making E631 by microbial fermentation on plant-based media, and it can also be made from fish, sardines and anchovies among them, or from meat. Seeing it beside MSG on an instant noodle packet is the usual pattern, and the packet will not say where it came from.
What it is
- Comes from
- Made by microbial fermentation on plant-based media, the route the leading producers report, or derived from fish (sardines, anchovies) or meat. Every route gives the same name on the label.
- Which animal
- fish or meat animals, via extracts
- Requires slaughter
- Yes
- Where you meet it
- Instant noodles, crisps/chips, flavored snack foods, bouillon cubes, fast food seasonings. Almost always used together with E627 and MSG.
- What replaces it
- There is no direct flavor substitute. Avoid products listing E631 unless the manufacturer confirms a non-animal source.
Editorial notes
E631 is a flavor enhancer that synergizes with MSG. If a product contains MSG (E621) along with E631 or E635, the flavor is boosted with nucleotides made by fermentation or from fish or meat. Particularly common in Asian snack foods and instant noodles.
Frequently asked questions
Is Disodium Inosinate vegetarian?
Depends on Source. Some routes to it require the animal to die and some do not, and the label rarely says which was used.
Is Disodium Inosinate vegan?
Depends on Source. Disodium inosinate depends on how it was made. The leading producers report making E631 by microbial fermentation on plant-based media, and it can also be made from fish, sardines and anchovies among them, or from meat. Seeing it beside MSG on an instant noodle packet is the usual pattern, and the packet will not say where it came from.
Is disodium inosinate vegan?
Disodium inosinate depends on how it was made. The additive can be derived from fish or meat, and labels do not disclose the source. The leading producers report making it by microbial fermentation on plant-based media, a route that uses no animal tissue. Unless a manufacturer confirms a non-animal origin, the additive is best regarded as potentially animal-derived.
What is E631 made from?
E631 is the sodium salt of inosinic acid. That nucleotide occurs naturally in animal muscle. Commercially it can be sourced from fish such as sardines and anchovies or from meat extracts. Bacterial fermentation of sugars or starch can also produce it, and the leading producers report using that route. The finished additive is chemically the same regardless of route, so the label does not indicate which was used.
Is disodium inosinate the same as MSG?
No, disodium inosinate is not the same as MSG. MSG (monosodium glutamate, E621) is the salt of glutamic acid. Disodium inosinate (E631) is a nucleotide salt. They are different compounds. Cooks and manufacturers use them together because inosinate strongly amplifies the savory effect of glutamate.