About
Sodium caseinate is the sodium salt of casein, the principal protein of cow's milk, produced by reacting acid casein with sodium hydroxide to improve solubility. It is widely used in processed foods as an emulsifier, stabiliser, whitener, and high-quality protein supplement in products such as coffee creamers, processed meats, infant formula, and sports nutrition products.
Safety summary
Sodium caseinate is broadly recognized as safe by international regulatory bodies, including JECFA which noted it 'may be regarded as a food,' and no specific ADI has been established due to its nature as a dietary protein. The primary safety concern is its dairy origin: casein is a major milk allergen capable of triggering severe allergic reactions—including anaphylaxis—in individuals with cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA). No carcinogenicity classification has been assigned by IARC, and there are no bans in any major food jurisdiction.
Regulatory landscape
| Jurisdiction | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| FSANZ (Food Standards Australia New Zealand) (Australia) | Approved | Permitted food ingredient under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. Milk and milk-derived ingredients including caseinates must be declared as allergens per Standard 1.2.3.source |
| EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union) | Approved | Sodium caseinate is permitted as a food ingredient (emulsifier, stabilizer, protein source) in the EU under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008; it is treated as a food ingredient rather than a food additive and carries no dedicated E number. Milk and caseinates must be declared as major allergens per Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 (Food Information to Consumers).source |
| FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India) | Approved | Caseinates are recognised as permitted food ingredients under FSSAI Food Safety and Standards Regulations, 2009, and the Food Products Standards and Food Additives Regulations, 2011. Must be declared on labels under FSSAI labeling requirements.source |
| FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States) | Approved | Listed as GRAS under 21 CFR 184.1787 for multipurpose use (emulsifier, stabilizer, nutrient supplement). Must be declared as a milk-derived allergen on labels under the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA, 2004).source |
Who should approach with care
Research citations
- 1FAO. FAO Combined Compendium of Food Additive Specifications – Sodium Caseinate (COMPENDIUM/1331). fao.org
- 2FDA. 21 CFR 184.1787 – Sodium Caseinate (GRAS). accessdata.fda.gov
- 3FDA. Food Additive Status List (EAFUS / Substances Added to Food), 2026. fda.gov
- 4PubMed. Cow's milk allergy: evidence-based diagnosis and management for the practitioner, 2012. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5WHO. JECFA Evaluation of Sodium Caseinate – 14th Meeting (1970), TRS 462, 1970. apps.who.int