What is E325?
Sodium lactate (E325) is a salt of lactic acid used for moisture, acidity and preservation functions in specified foods. Goodnessly rates E325 Safe within its rating system, while category and use conditions still apply.
E325 is sodium lactate, used in selected foods for moisture management, acidity control and preservation support.
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What is Sodium lactate?
Sodium lactate is the sodium salt of lactic acid. Its water-binding and buffering properties can support texture and stability in permitted formulations.
What's it used for?
- Managing moisture
- Supporting acidity and buffering
- Supporting preservation systems
- Helping maintain texture
Where you'll find E325 on the shelf
It is most relevant to processed meats, sauces, dressings, bakery foods and other formulations where lactate functionality is useful.
Is E325 permitted? What the regulators say
E325 is permitted or authorised in the three systems checked, with food-category, purity and use conditions applying.
| Region | Status | What this means |
|---|---|---|
| AU/NZ Australia & New Zealand (FSANZ) | Permitted with conditions | FSANZ lists sodium lactate as additive 325; Schedule 15 food-category permissions and conditions apply. |
| EU European Union (EFSA) | Authorised with conditions | The EU Union list includes E325 sodium lactate for specified categories and conditions. |
| US United States (FDA) | Affirmed GRAS with conditions | FDA 21 CFR 184.1768 affirms sodium lactate as GRAS under current good manufacturing practice, with the section’s food-use limits applying. |
Goodnessly rates E325 Safe within its rating system. The rating does not remove the need to consider the product category, amount or full formulation.
- FSANZ Food Standards Code, August 2026 compilation, Schedule 15 and additive 325
- EUR-Lex Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 Union list and Regulation (EU) No 231/2012
- FDA 21 CFR 184.1768
This section is checked periodically rather than continuously — if you're reading this well after the date above, it's worth confirming nothing has changed before citing it.
Who might want to limit or avoid it
- People comparing moisture and preservation systems
- People checking processed-food formulations
- People who want to understand lactate salts and acidity regulators
Goodnessly rates E325 Safe as a practical prompt to understand the ingredient, the product and the overall formulation.
How to spot it on a label
Look for:
- Sodium lactate
- 325 or E325
- Humectant (325)
- Acidity regulator (325)
Look for sodium lactate, E325/325 or the humectant or acidity-regulator class followed by the number.
Related additives
Frequently asked questions
What is E325?
E325 is sodium lactate, a salt used for moisture, acidity and preservation functions.
Is E325 permitted?
E325 is permitted with conditions in Australia/New Zealand, the EU and the US. The food category and use conditions still matter.
Why is sodium lactate rated Safe?
Goodnessly rates E325 Safe within its rating system, while the regulatory category and use conditions still matter.
How does Goodnessly rate E325?
Goodnessly rates E325 (sodium lactate) as Safe.
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