YenzoWhat is E401 (sodium alginate)?
Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT lists the functions of sodium alginate as bulking agent, carrier, emulsifier, foaming agent, gelling agent, glazing agent, humectant, sequestrant, stabilizer and thickener.
E401Sodium alginate
E401 is sodium alginate, the sodium salt of alginic acid (E400). In food it thickens, forms gels and helps keep products stable.
Did you know? Annex II of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 permits sodium alginate (E 401) in dietary foods for infants and young children for special medical purposes (categories 13.1.5.1 and 13.1.5.2) on this condition: “From four months onwards in special food products with adapted composition, required for metabolic disorders and for general tube-feeding”.
- Code
- E401 · INS 401
In Vietnam✓ PermittedOn the list of permitted additives — Circular 24/2019, Appendix 1
Risk level on the Yenzo Scalevery low?Based on the Open Food Facts additives taxonomy
How E401 appears on labels
IngredientsIllustrative example
Wheat flour, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, thickener (401), dried onion and garlic, pepper, natural colour (160a).
thickener (401)thickener 401E401INS 401On Vietnamese labels: Natri alginat
Sodium alginate in food
Fermented milk
Renin-coagulated milk
Pasteurised cream
Fresh and dried pasta and noodles
Fresh meat
Frozen fish and fish productsLiquid and frozen egg products
Other sugars and syrups
Coffee, tea and herbal drinksQuestions about sodium alginate
Is sodium alginate harmful?
In 2017 EFSA concluded that there is no need for a numerical ADI for alginic acid and its salts (E 400–E 404), and that there is no safety concern at the level of the refined exposure assessment for the reported uses.
Is Sodium alginate (INS 401) permitted in Vietnam?
Yes. Sodium alginate (INS 401) is listed in Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, the list of additives permitted in food.
Can children and pregnant women have E401?
EFSA concluded that infants' and young children's exposure to alginic acid and its salts (E 400–E 404) from these additives should stay below therapeutic dosages, at which side-effects could occur. For dietary foods for special medical purposes and special formulae for infants (category 13.1.5.1), and for dietary foods for babies and young children for special medical purposes (category 13.1.5.2), EFSA concluded that the available data did not allow an adequate safety assessment. If you have a particular health condition, ask a doctor.
Other thickeners
E400Alginic acidvery lowE402Potassium alginatevery lowE403Ammonium alginatevery lowE404Calcium alginatevery lowE405Propane-1,2-diol alginatelowE406Agarvery low
See all thickeners →Found in these products
Sữa đặc Ngôi Sao Phương Nam (sweetened condensed creamer)Vinamilk · milk and milk drinks
Sữa đặc Ông Thọ (sweetened condensed milk)Vinamilk · milk and milk drinksUpdated 21 October 2026
Sources (4)
- Open Food Facts additives taxonomy (Yenzo's table cites no EFSA opinion for this code). Open Food Facts additives taxonomy, https://github.com/openfoodfacts/openfoodfacts-server/blob/main/taxonomies/additives.txt (entry en:e401)
- Thông tư 24/2019/TT-BYT (văn bản hợp nhất 09/VBHN-BYT), Phụ lục 2A: nhóm thực phẩm được phép dùng INS 401
- Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives (consolidated text of 18.08.2026): Article 16 and Annex II, Part E, category 13.1 (foods for infants and young children)
- EFSA Journal (2017). Re-evaluation of alginic acid and its sodium, potassium, ammonium and calcium salts (E 400-E 404) as food additives