What is E325?
Complete guide to understanding sodium lactate in your food
The Quick Answer
E325 is sodium lactate, a preservative and acidity regulator made from the sodium salt of lactic acid, used to prevent bacterial growth and extend shelf life in processed meats, baked goods, dairy products, and other foods.
It’s produced by fermenting carbohydrates (corn, beets, etc.) to create lactic acid, which is then neutralized with sodium to create sodium lactate. As a natural preservative with antimicrobial properties, E325 is recognized by the WHO as one of the world’s essential medicines.
Most people eating processed meat, baked goods, dairy products, or canned foods regularly consume small amounts of E325.
📌 Quick Facts
- Category: Preservative, Acidity Regulator & Bulking Agent
- Found in: Processed meat, baked goods, dairy, canned products
- Safety: FDA GRAS-approved, EFSA-approved, on WHO Essential Medicines List
- Approved by: FDA, EFSA, JECFA/WHO
- Key Fact: Natural preservative; plant-derived through fermentation; NOT related to lactose
What Exactly Is E325?
E325 is sodium lactate, the sodium salt of lactic acid, produced by fermenting carbohydrates and then neutralizing the resulting lactic acid with sodium.
More specifically, sugars like corn or beets are fermented to produce lactic acid. This lactic acid is then neutralized using a sodium source, creating sodium lactate (NaC3H5O3). The result is a clear to slightly colored liquid or crystalline powder with a mild saline taste.
E325 is a natural preservative that inhibits bacterial, fungal, and yeast growth while also functioning as an acidity regulator and bulking agent. It has high water-holding capacity, making it particularly valuable in processed meats where it maintains juiciness.
Important distinction: Despite the name similarity, sodium lactate is NOT chemically similar to lactose (milk sugar) and is NOT restricted for lactose-intolerant individuals.
Where You’ll Find E325
E325 appears in numerous food products requiring preservation or texture enhancement:
– Processed meats (sausages, deli meats, bacon)
– Canned meats and meat products
– Baked goods (bread, pastries, cakes)
– Cheese and dairy products
– Ice cream
– Canned fruits and vegetables
– Fruit jellies and jams
– Soups (canned)
– Confectionery products
– Beverages (juices, flavored drinks)
– Meat products with reduced salt content
If you eat processed meat, baked goods, or dairy products, you’ve likely consumed E325. It’s particularly common in processed meat products where it prevents spoilage and maintains texture.
💡 Pro Tip: Look for “Sodium lactate” or “E325” on ingredient lists. It’s most commonly found in processed meat products (deli meats, sausages) and in baked goods where it improves moisture retention and shelf life.
How E325 Works in Food
E325 serves multiple critical functions in food preservation and quality.
As a preservative: E325 inhibits the growth of bacteria, yeasts, and molds. It’s particularly effective against pathogenic bacteria like Listeria monocytogenes, a common concern in processed meats. This antimicrobial action extends shelf life and prevents spoilage.
As a moisture manager: E325 has exceptional water-holding capacity. In processed meats, it captures free water and reduces moisture activity, preventing both microbial growth and product drying. This is why processed meat with sodium lactate stays juicier longer.
As an acidity regulator: E325 functions as a buffer, maintaining stable pH in food products. This pH stability prevents unwanted flavor changes and microbial growth that occurs in acidic or alkaline conditions.
As a bulking agent: E325 adds bulk to food formulations without contributing calories or undesirable flavors.
As a flavor enhancer: E325 can improve the flavor profile of foods, particularly roasted products and processed meats.
Why Do Food Companies Use E325?
E325 provides manufacturers with effective, natural antimicrobial preservation while maintaining product moisture, juiciness, and sensory qualities.
For processed meat manufacturers, E325 is particularly valuable because it prevents dangerous pathogens like Listeria while maintaining the juiciness consumers expect. Unlike salt (which requires large amounts for preservation), sodium lactate achieves preservation at lower sodium levels, enabling “reduced salt” meat products.
In baked goods, it prevents staling by maintaining moisture. Its natural origin and long safety history make it attractive for manufacturers pursuing “clean label” strategies. Its WHO recognition as an essential medicine demonstrates its credibility and safety profile.
Is It Safe?
Regulatory authorities worldwide classify E325 as safe—with exceptionally strong credibility given its inclusion on the WHO’s Essential Medicines List.
The FDA classifies sodium lactate as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS). The EFSA has authorized it as a food additive. Most significantly, the World Health Organization includes E325 on its List of Essential Medicines—the safest and most effective medicines needed in a health system.
Decades of use in both food and medicine, plus extensive research confirming low toxicity and natural safety profile, support these regulatory approvals.
✓ Safety Exceptionally Confirmed: The FDA classifies E325 as GRAS. The EFSA approved it. The WHO includes it on its Essential Medicines List. No known harmful effects at food-use levels. Decades of safe food and medical use.
Pharmaceutical and Medical Uses
E325’s inclusion on the WHO Essential Medicines List reflects its critical role in medical treatment.
Sodium lactate is used medically in several ways: as the primary component of Ringer’s lactate solution (standard medical IV fluid for fluid and electrolyte replacement), to treat mild to moderate metabolic acidosis, as a rehydrating agent, and as a carrier for electrolyte concentrates or medicines in infusion solutions.
When metabolized, E325 is converted to bicarbonate, which increases plasma bicarbonate levels and helps remove hydrogen ions, raising blood pH. This makes it valuable in treating certain acid-base imbalances.
However, it’s contraindicated in cases of lactic acidosis, and it can potentially cause panic attacks in individuals with existing panic disorder.
Potential Side Effects
At approved food use levels, no adverse effects are documented.
E325 is well-tolerated in food. Regulatory reviews have found no harmful effects at food consumption levels.
At high clinical doses (therapeutic use far exceeding food levels): Possible side effects may include bloating, gas, and diarrhea—typical digestive responses to any preservative or salt at very high levels.
Special populations: E325 is not permitted in infant formulas, a regulatory precaution for very young children.
Important: E325 Is NOT Lactose
A critical point of confusion: Despite the name similarity, sodium lactate is NOT related to lactose (milk sugar).
Sodium lactate is the sodium salt of lactic acid—an entirely different compound from lactose. It’s not chemically similar to lactose and therefore should NOT be avoided by lactose-intolerant individuals.
Even when E325 is produced by fermenting milk or whey (an uncommon production method), no residual milk protein remains in the final product. Lactose-intolerant people can safely consume products containing E325.
How E325 Is Made
E325 is produced through a simple, natural fermentation and neutralization process.
Manufacturing process:
1. Carbohydrate selection: Sugars from corn, beets, or other plant sources are selected
2. Fermentation: Microorganisms ferment these sugars to produce lactic acid
3. Neutralization: The resulting lactic acid is neutralized with a sodium source, creating sodium lactate
4. Purification: The product is purified and processed into liquid or powder form
5. Result: Food-grade sodium lactate ready for use as a food additive
The process is based on natural biochemistry—lactic acid is produced naturally by living organisms as a byproduct of glycolysis. E325 simply captures this natural process for food preservation.
Vegan and Dietary Status
E325 is plant-derived and suitable for plant-based diets:
– Vegan-friendly ✓ – Produced from fermentation of plant sugars
– Vegetarian ✓
– Plant-based ✓
– Natural ✓ – Naturally produced by fermentation
– Gluten-free ✓
– NOT restricted for lactose intolerance ✓ – Despite name, unrelated to lactose
E325 is one of the most plant-compatible food additives available.
Animal Feed Applications
E325 is also used in animal feed with multiple beneficial effects:
– Maintains gastric pH and prevents excessive pH fluctuations
– Increases activity of digestive enzymes (proteolytic enzymes)
– Stimulates beneficial bacteria growth
– Reduces survival of pathogenic bacteria in the stomach
– Helps animals gain weight faster
– Increases milk production
– Improves feed palatability and reduces odor
– Increases overall feed digestibility
Cosmetic and Personal Care Uses
Beyond food, E325 is valued in cosmetics and personal care products:
– Humectant: Effective moisturizing agent in shampoos and liquid soaps
– Skincare: Component in acne treatments, anti-aging creams, facial cleansers
– Hair care: Hair conditioners and treatment products
– Eye care: Component in eye drop formulations
– Aftershave: Historical use in aftershave lotions
– Cosmetic masks: Exfoliant scrubs and cosmetic masks
Approved Use Levels
E325 is approved for use in numerous food categories at regulated levels.
Many applications use “quantum satis” basis (as much as needed) without specific numeric limits, indicating regulatory confidence in its safety. Specific categories with defined limits include flavored drinks and various processed foods.
Regulatory Approval Across Regions
E325 is approved by all major regulatory authorities worldwide:
– United States (FDA): GRAS – Generally Recognized As Safe
– European Union (EFSA): Authorized per Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008
– International (JECFA/FAO/WHO): Approved
– WHO Essential Medicines List: Included
The WHO inclusion is particularly significant—it reflects not just food safety approval but medical importance.
Comparison with Related Lactate Additives
E325 is part of a family of lactate-based additives:
– E325: Sodium lactate (this product)
– E326: Potassium lactate – acidity regulator
– E327: Calcium lactate – acidity regulator
– E328: Ammonium lactate – acidity regulator/antioxidant
– E329: Magnesium lactate – acidity regulator/antioxidant
– E270: Lactic acid – preservative/antioxidant
All share similar safety profiles and natural origins through fermentation.
The Bottom Line
E325 (sodium lactate) is a plant-derived preservative and acidity regulator made from fermented carbohydrates, used to prevent bacterial growth and extend shelf life in processed meats, baked goods, and dairy products.
It’s produced naturally through fermentation of sugars (corn, beets) followed by neutralization with sodium—a simple, natural process.
Regulatory authorities worldwide classify E325 as safe. Most significantly, the WHO includes it on its Essential Medicines List—reflecting both food safety and medical importance.
The FDA classifies it as GRAS, and the EFSA has authorized it as a food additive.
No harmful effects are documented at food-use levels. Decades of use in both food and medicine support its safety profile.
Critical distinction: E325 is NOT related to lactose. Lactose-intolerant individuals can safely consume it.
E325 is plant-derived, vegan-friendly, and gluten-free.
Most people eating processed meat, baked goods, dairy products, or canned foods consume E325 regularly without any documented health concerns.
As always, food labels must declare E325 when used, enabling informed consumer choice.