YenzoWhat is E620 (glutamic acid)?
E620 is glutamic acid. In Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT the functions listed for it are flavour enhancer.
E620Glutamic acid
E620 is glutamic acid (acid glutamic). In Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT its function is flavour enhancer.
Did you know? According to EFSA (2017), monosodium glutamate was originally extracted from natural sources, after which chemical synthesis was the method of choice; today all glutamate manufacturers seem to use fermentation with coryneform bacteria, after which L-glutamic acid is purified from the culture medium.
- Code
- E620 · INS 620
- Group
- Flavour enhancer
In Vietnam✓ PermittedOn the list of permitted additives — Circular 24/2019, Appendix 1
Risk level on the Yenzo Scalelow?Based on EFSA's scientific assessment, 2017
EFSA (2017) found that intake in some population groups can exceed the ADI. On the Yenzo Scale this finding does not raise the risk level by itself.
How much a day stays within the ADI?EFSA 2017: 30 mg/kg bw per day
about 2.0 g a daythat is 1,950 mg
How E620 appears on labels
IngredientsIllustrative example
Wheat flour, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, flavour enhancer (620), dried onion and garlic, pepper, natural colour (160a).
flavour enhancer (620)flavour enhancer 620E620INS 620On Vietnamese labels: Acid glutamic (L(+)-)
Glutamic acid in food
Salt substitutes
Questions about glutamic acid
Is glutamic acid harmful?
In 2017 EFSA set a group ADI of 30 mg/kg body weight a day (expressed as glutamic acid) for glutamic acid and the glutamates E620–625. EFSA noted that intake from additives exceeded the ADI in some scenarios; counting also the glutamate naturally present in food, intake exceeded the ADI at the mean and high (P95) level in all population groups except the mean for the elderly. The biggest contributors were fine bakery wares, soups and broths, sauces, meat and meat products, seasonings and food supplements.
Is INS 620 permitted in Vietnam?
Yes. Glutamic acid (INS 620) is listed in Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, the list of additives permitted in food, with the function flavour enhancer.
Other flavour enhancers
E621Monosodium glutamatelowE622Monopotassium glutamatelowE623Calcium diglutamatelowE624Monoammonium glutamatelowE625Magnesium diglutamatelowE626Guanylic acidlow
See all flavour enhancers →Updated 20 October 2026
Sources (2)
- EFSA Journal: Re-evaluation of glutamic acid (E 620), sodium glutamate (E 621), potassium glutamate (E 622), calcium glutamate (E 623), ammonium glutamate (E 624) and magnesium glutamate (E 625) as food additives (2017).
- Thông tư 24/2019/TT-BYT (văn bản hợp nhất 09/VBHN-BYT), Phụ lục 2A: mức sử dụng tối đa phụ gia trong thực phẩm