Foods Containing E412 (Guar Gum)
E412 (Guar Gum) is a natural thickener ground from guar beans — safe, vegan and halal. Here's where you're most likely to find it on food labels.
Common foods that contain E412
E412 is used across sauces, soups, desserts, jams, plant milks and dairy alternatives. The foods where it appears most often include:
- Ice cream
- Gluten-free baking
- Sauces
- Plant milks
- Soups
Exact usage varies by brand and recipe — the only way to know for certain whether a specific product contains E412 is to check its ingredients list, where it must be declared by law, either as "E412" or as "Guar Gum".
How to spot E412 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: E412" or "thickeners and gelling agents: guar gum". In the US the E-number system isn't used, so look for the full name "Guar Gum" instead.
Should you avoid foods containing E412?
E412 is considered safe. It is authorised across the EU, UK and US, and safety evaluations by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have not identified health concerns at the levels used in food. For most people there is no reason to avoid E412.
Full guide to E412: 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).