Emulsifier · EU 401
Sodium Alginate
FDA status: Approved. EU: Approved. No U.S. state has enacted a specific ban yet.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Sodium Alginate is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it independently of federal policy. Its composite safety score is 4 out of 5 (Low Risk), and the European Union separately classifies it as approved. By tracked product count it ranks #65 of 417.
- #65 of 417 by tracked product prevalence
The verdict
Sodium Alginate is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it. By Open Food Facts product count it sits #65 of 417 among additives with tracked product presence (84th percentile).
- 4/5
- Low Risk
- Approved
- FDA status
- #65 of 417
- product-prevalence rank
- 0
- state regulations
Product-footprint and regulatory snapshot
Sodium Alginate: 695 tracked U.S. products (common band, #65 of 417) frame how often this additive appears on shelves.
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Tracked Products | 695 · #65 of 417 | Open Food Facts (US) |
| FDA Status | Approved | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Approved | EC 1333/2008 |
| E-Number | 401 | EU additive register |
| CAS Number | - | CAS Registry |
| Category | Emulsifier | FDA functional class |
| Composite Safety Score | 4 / 5 (Low Risk) | PlainIngredients methodology |
| EFSA ADI | Not established | EFSA scientific opinion |
| U.S. State Actions | 0 states | State legislative records |
Values reflect official agency classifications as published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Union's regulatory framework. See our methodology for scoring details.
What is Sodium Alginate?
Sodium Alginate is a food additive (401) classified as emulsifier.
Health Concerns
- EFSA evaluation: Re‐evaluation of alginic acid and its sodium, potassium, ammonium and calcium salts -E 400–E 404- as food additives
Common Uses
Shelf-footprint peer axes
Nationwide peers for a common OFF footprint
Nearest OFF product-count peers (695 tracked here); safety-score column omitted on prevalence-led pages.
Nearest OFF product count to 695
Nearest other additives by Open Food Facts product count (floored at ≥50).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sodium Alginate safe to consume?
Sodium Alginate scores 4/5 (Low Risk). FDA status is Approved. On the Open Food Facts U.S. sample it is a common additive (695 tracked products, #65 of 417), so product footprint, not just the score label, frames how widely a shopper will meet it.
What is Sodium Alginate used for in food?
Sodium Alginate shows up as Sauces, dressings, baked goods, ice cream in the Emulsifier class, and the OFF sample puts it in the common footprint band (695 products).
Where does Sodium Alginate sit among food additives PlainIngredients tracks?
Among additives with at least one tracked product, it ranks #65 of 417 by Open Food Facts product count. See /methodology#corpus-placement for the ranking bases.
What health concerns are associated with Sodium Alginate?
Research has identified the following health concerns for Sodium Alginate: EFSA evaluation: Re‐evaluation of alginic acid and its sodium, potassium, ammonium and calcium salts -E 400–E 404- as food additives. These findings inform its safety score of 4/5. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance, especially if you have pre-existing conditions.