Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormPowder/Granules
Industry PositionFood Additive (Acidity Regulator / Sequestrant)
Market
Trisodium citrate (INS 331(iii)) is used in India as a food additive for functions such as acidity regulation/buffering and sequestration, and it is recognized within India’s food additive regulatory framework. The India market is primarily B2B, serving processed food and beverage manufacturers as well as other industrial users. India participates in international trade of “salts and esters of citric acid” (HS 291815), which is the HS heading that includes sodium citrate, indicating both inbound supply and outbound shipments depending on grade and buyer demand. For imported lots, clearance is handled through FSSAI’s Food Import Clearance System (FICS) integrated with Customs ICEGATE, where documentation scrutiny and (where selected) sampling/testing can affect lead times.
Market RoleTwo-way trading and domestic consumption market (industrial B2B ingredient)
Domestic RoleFormulation ingredient used by Indian food manufacturers and other industrial users where permitted/appropriate.
Specification
Physical Attributes- Typically a white, crystalline powder or white granular crystals.
- Slightly deliquescent in moist air (handling requires moisture control).
- Freely soluble in water and practically insoluble in alcohol.
Compositional Metrics- Buyer specifications commonly reference recognized additive specifications (e.g., JECFA specifications) and include limits for impurities/heavy metals appropriate to food-grade supply.
- JECFA evaluation for sodium citrate (trisodium citrate; INS 331(iii)) has an ADI ‘not specified’ (not limited) in the JECFA database.
Grades- Food grade (aligned to applicable FSSAI requirements and buyer specifications referencing recognized additive specifications such as JECFA).
- Pharmaceutical/medical grade (sold to pharmacopeial or buyer specifications for relevant applications).
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Producer (domestic or overseas) → bulk packaging → sea freight to Indian port/ICD → Customs Bill of Entry (ICEGATE) with FSSAI referral where applicable → FSSAI FICS document scrutiny/inspection/sampling (if selected) → NOC/NCC outcome → importer warehouse → B2B distribution to manufacturing sites
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighIf trisodium citrate is not properly documented for the intended use (including food category alignment, functional justification, and compliant labeling/document set) under India’s Food Safety and Standards framework, the consignment can be delayed or rejected during FSSAI import clearance via FICS.Validate the intended use against the latest applicable FSSAI additive provisions before shipment, and prepare a complete FICS-ready dossier (label, ingredient list, end-use declaration, and a buyer-ready CoA/specification) for each lot.
Documentation Gap MediumMissing or inconsistent import documents (e.g., label/artwork mismatch, incomplete ingredient list, or gaps in end-use declaration) can trigger queries and extended port holds during FICS document scrutiny.Use the Food Imports Manual document checklist and run a pre-shipment document reconciliation (all documents reflect the same product name/grade, batch, origin, and intended use).
Food Safety MediumQuality deviations (e.g., impurity/heavy-metal limits not meeting buyer/FSSAI expectations) can lead to non-conformance outcomes if the lot is sampled and tested during import clearance.Source from audited suppliers and maintain lot-specific CoA aligned to recognized additive specifications; ensure testing laboratories and methods used for any supporting CoA are credible and fit-for-purpose.
Logistics MediumPort dwell time can increase when consignments are selected for sampling/testing and when document queries occur in FICS, affecting production scheduling for industrial users.Build clearance time buffers into replenishment plans and use pre-arrival document readiness to reduce avoidable delays.
FAQ
Which documents are commonly required to import trisodium citrate into India under FSSAI clearance?FSSAI’s Food Imports Manual lists documents commonly required at the time of food import, including Bill of Entry, Country of Origin Certificate, Bill of Lading, FSSAI Import License, Invoice, Packing List, Ingredient List, Product Label, and an End Use Declaration. Additional documents may apply depending on the specific product and clearance pathway.
Which authority manages import clearance for food ingredients/additives like trisodium citrate in India?Food import clearance is managed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) through its Food Import Clearance System (FICS), which is integrated with Customs ICEGATE under the single-window process described in FSSAI’s Food Imports Manual.
What is trisodium citrate’s INS number and its typical technological functions?Trisodium citrate is INS 331(iii). Codex GSFA and the WHO JECFA database list it as a food additive used for technological functions such as acidity regulation/buffering and sequestration (chelating), and it is also referenced in India’s regulations in the citrate additive entries.