Ingredient

Sodium

Source
Not animal-derived
Allergen
No
Role in food
Manufacturers add sodium to foods to enhance flavor, act as a preservative, and improve …

What is Sodium?

Sodium is a mineral that is essential for life. It is found naturally in many foods and is also added to processed foods. Sodium chloride, commonly known as salt, is the most common form of sodium used in food.

Is Sodium vegan?

Sodium is not animal-derived. Products that contain it can still include other animal-derived ingredients, so check the full ingredient list.

Is Sodium gluten-free?

It does not contain gluten.

Is Sodium a major allergen?

Sodium itself is not one of the 9 FDA major allergens.

What is Sodium used for?

Manufacturers add sodium to foods to enhance flavor, act as a preservative, and improve texture.

Is Sodium safe?

The FDA considers sodium chloride to be Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) when used as intended.

Why it's used

Manufacturers add sodium to foods to enhance flavor, act as a preservative, and improve texture. It is commonly found in processed meats, canned goods, snacks, and baked goods.

Health notes

The FDA considers sodium chloride to be Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) when used as intended. High sodium intake is linked to increased blood pressure in some individuals. The WHO recommends limiting sodium intake. JECFA has evaluated sodium and its compounds, establishing acceptable daily intakes for some, while not specifying numeric limits for others.

Allergen info

Sodium itself is not one of the 9 FDA major allergens. It does not contain gluten.

Foods that contain Sodium

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%DV Explained: 5% Low, 20% High →

Auto-generated content. This description was generated automatically and is pending editorial review. Inaccuracies are possible. Found a mistake? Contact us.

Last updated: September 28, 2026

Note: This site presents label data from USDA FoodData Central for general information. It is not medical advice. Check the package label; formulations change.