E631 : Sodium inosinate
Origin:
Sodium salt of inosinic acid (E630), a natural acid, that is mainly present in animals. Commercially prepared from meat(pig?) or fish (sardines). May also be produced by bacterial fermentation of sugars.
Function & Characteristics:
Flavour enhancer. Inosinic acid and inosinates do not have the specific umami taste but strongly enhance many other flavours, thereby reducing the amounts of salt or other flavour enhancers needed in a product.
Products:
Used in many products.
Acceptable daily intake (ADI):
None determined. Inosinates may not be used in products intended for children under 12 weeks.
Side effects:
Asthmatic people should avoid inosinates. As inosinates are metabolised to purines, they should be avoided by people suffering from gout. However, the concentrations used are generally so low that no effects are to be expected.
Dietary restrictions:
Inosinates are generally produced from meat, but partly also from fish. They are thus not suitable for vegans and vegetarians, and in most cases not suitable for Jews, Muslims and Hindus, depending on the origin of the product. Only the producer can provide information on the origin.
Regarding the issue of E631 in Lays products in Pakistan : only Lays can provide the correct information. Chemically the origin can not be distinguished, so only Lays may know, as they know the exact supplier. We are sorry, but we do not have that information, see also here.