What is E624?
Monoammonium L-glutamate — the ammonium salt in the E620–E625 glutamate flavour-enhancer group.
Monoammonium L-glutamate (E624) is a flavour enhancer in the glutamic acid–glutamates family (E620–E625). It delivers the same umami taste role as MSG, with ammonium as the counter-ion. It is permitted in Australia/NZ and the EU within that group. EFSA's 2017 group ADI is 30 mg/kg body weight per day expressed as glutamic acid, with estimated high intakes able to exceed the ADI for some consumers. Like other non-sodium glutamate salts, it is less common on packs than E621 but is not assessed separately from the group. Goodnessly rates it Avoid.
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Read the FAQ →
What is monoammonium L-glutamate?
Monoammonium L-glutamate (E624) is the ammonium salt of L-glutamic acid used as a flavour enhancer. It is included in EFSA's E620–E625 group re-evaluation. On labels you may see "monoammonium glutamate", "ammonium glutamate", "624", "E624", or "flavour enhancer (624)".
What's it used for?
- Savoury / umami flavour enhancing in seasonings
- Used in soups, sauces and processed savoury foods where glutamates are permitted
- Formulation alternative to MSG when a non-sodium glutamate salt is chosen
- Part of the E620–E625 flavour-enhancer family
Where you'll find E624 on the shelf
Same savoury aisle as MSG; expect it less often than 621, but the Avoid logic is identical if it appears.
Is monoammonium L-glutamate safe? What the research says
E624 does not have a standalone EFSA ADI. It is covered by the 2017 glutamates group opinion (ADI 30 mg/kg bw/day as glutamic acid) and the same high-consumer exposure discussion. Goodnessly therefore rates it with MSG and L-glutamic acid rather than carving out a softer tier for ammonium salt forms.
| Region | Status | What this means |
|---|---|---|
| AU/NZ Australia & New Zealand (FSANZ) | Permitted (glutamates group, GMP) | Listed as monoammonium L-glutamate (624) with other glutamates in the Food Standards Code as a flavour enhancer for permitted categories (generally GMP). Must be declared by name or number when used as a food additive. |
| EU European Union (EFSA) | Authorised; group ADI 30 mg/kg bw/day | Authorised as E624 under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008. Covered by EFSA's 2017 re-evaluation of E620–E625 (group ADI 30 mg/kg bw/day as glutamic acid). |
| US United States (FDA) | Glutamate family (see MSG / glutamic acid GRAS) | Ammonium glutamate is far less common on US retail labels than monosodium glutamate. FDA's familiar GRAS references centre on MSG and glutamic acid. This page does not invent a unique Part 182 section for E624; group caution follows the glutamates family. |
Ammonium vs sodium vs magnesium counter-ions change formulation details, not the fact that the additive is an intentional glutamate flavour enhancer inside EFSA's group ADI. Sensitivity associations after high-glutamate meals refer to susceptible individuals, not a general-population diagnosis.
- EFSA 2017 (E620–E625): E624 included in the group ADI of 30 mg/kg bw/day as glutamic acid.
- FSANZ: monoammonium L-glutamate remains listed with other glutamates as a flavour enhancer.
- Label tip: scan for any code 620–625, not only "MSG" spelled out.
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 avoiding the MSG / glutamates flavour-enhancer family
- Anyone cutting back on ultra-processed savoury seasonings
- Shoppers applying the same rule to 624 as to 621
Goodnessly rates E624 Avoid. Monoammonium L-glutamate remains permitted with the glutamates group, but EFSA's group ADI exposure concerns and our household preference against added umami boosters keep it in Avoid.
How to spot it on a label
Check savoury processed foods for:
- Monoammonium L-glutamate / ammonium glutamate
- 624 or E624
- Flavour enhancer (624)
- Other glutamates: 620–623, 625
Rare next to MSG — still Avoid if listed.
Related additives
Frequently asked questions
What is Monoammonium L-glutamate (E624) made from?
It is the ammonium salt of L-glutamic acid, manufactured for use as a savoury flavour enhancer in the same family as MSG (E621).
Is E624 different from MSG?
Yes in salt form (ammonium vs sodium), no in regulatory group. EFSA assesses E620–E625 together. Goodnessly rates both Avoid.
Why is E624 less common than E621?
MSG is the industry-standard glutamate salt for umami. Other salts exist for formulation reasons; they are still glutamate flavour enhancers when used as additives.
Does Goodnessly rate E624 as safe, caution or avoid?
Goodnessly rates E624 (Monoammonium L-glutamate) as Avoid.
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