Foods Containing E407a (Processed Eucheuma Seaweed)
E407a (Processed Eucheuma Seaweed) is a less refined form of carrageenan from seaweed, used as a thickeners & gelling agent to help thicken foods and create gels for the right texture. Here's where you're most likely to find it on food labels.
Common foods that contain E407a
E407a is used across sauces, soups, desserts, jams, plant milks and dairy alternatives. The foods where it appears most often include:
- Sauces
- Soups
- Desserts
- Jams
- Plant milks and dairy alternatives
Exact usage varies by brand and recipe — the only way to know for certain whether a specific product contains E407a is to check its ingredients list, where it must be declared by law, either as "E407a" or as "Processed Eucheuma Seaweed".
How to spot E407a on a label
In the UK and EU, additives must appear in the ingredients list with their function and either their E-number or full name — for example "thickeners and gelling agents: E407a" or "thickeners and gelling agents: processed eucheuma seaweed". In the US the E-number system isn't used, so look for the full name "Processed Eucheuma Seaweed" instead.
Should you avoid foods containing E407a?
E407a is approved for use in the EU, UK and US at regulated levels, but some concerns or conditions apply. For most people, normal dietary exposure to E407a is not considered harmful.
Full guide to E407a: safety, vegan and halal status →
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Additive data sourced from Open Food Facts (ODbL licence) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).