Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormCrystalline powder (food-grade)
Industry PositionFood additive (antioxidant / reducing agent input)
Market
Sodium erythorbate (INS 316; CAS 6381-77-7) is used in the United States as a food additive with technical effects including antioxidant and color/coloring-adjunct functions, and it is commonly associated with cured meat and poultry applications. In the U.S. meat and poultry regulatory context, it is recognized as a curing accelerator used to accelerate color fixing or preserve color during storage in specified cured products. Market access and continuity of supply are highly compliance-driven: U.S. imports of food additives are subject to FDA import requirements such as Prior Notice and related entry processes coordinated with CBP. Demand is therefore tied to downstream processed food manufacturing activity (notably meat and poultry processing) and to supplier conformance with food-grade specifications used in buyer qualification.
Market RoleMajor domestic consumption and processing market; regulated ingredient market supplied by domestic and imported sources
Domestic RoleB2B input used by U.S. food manufacturers and meat/poultry establishments as an antioxidant/reducing agent and curing accelerator where applicable.
Risks
Import Entry Compliance HighU.S. entry can be blocked or severely delayed if FDA import requirements are not met (e.g., inadequate/incorrect Prior Notice for food and food additives) or if the shipment is detained due to apparent noncompliance.Use a validated import-entry checklist: file Prior Notice correctly and on time, align product identity/specification with buyer and regulatory expectations, and ensure entry data consistently identifies the manufacturer, product, and intended use.
Regulatory Compliance MediumIn U.S. meat and poultry applications, misuse outside of applicable allowances (or misalignment between formulation and regulatory standards/labeling) can create adulteration or misbranding risk for finished products.For cured meat/poultry uses, cross-check formulation and intended use against 9 CFR 424.21 and FSIS policy references; run label reviews and maintain formulation support files.
Food Safety MediumNonconformance with food-grade specifications (identity/purity or contaminant-related parameters referenced in international specifications) can trigger customer rejection, heightened sampling, or regulatory scrutiny.Qualify suppliers against a defined food-grade specification set (e.g., JECFA/GSFA-aligned where applicable), require lot-specific COAs, and conduct periodic third-party testing for key impurities.
FAQ
Which U.S. authorities are most relevant to sodium erythorbate when used in cured meat and poultry products?USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) governs ingredient allowances and labeling/standards for meat and poultry products, and sodium erythorbate is listed as a curing accelerator for specific cured products in 9 CFR 424.21. FDA also provides food-ingredient regulatory context through its ingredient inventories and import oversight for FDA-regulated foods.
What is the international identifier for sodium erythorbate used in food additive standards?In Codex/JECFA contexts, sodium erythorbate is also called sodium isoascorbate and is identified as INS 316, with the functional class of antioxidant.
What is a common U.S. import compliance pitfall for shipments of sodium erythorbate?Failure to submit accurate and timely FDA Prior Notice for food and food additive shipments can result in refusal or a hold at the port of entry, disrupting supply to U.S. customers.