Foods Containing E417 (Tara Gum)
E417 (Tara Gum) is ground from the seeds of the tara tree, 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 E417
E417 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 E417 is to check its ingredients list, where it must be declared by law, either as "E417" or as "Tara Gum".
How to spot E417 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: E417" or "thickeners and gelling agents: tara gum". In the US the E-number system isn't used, so look for the full name "Tara Gum" instead.
Should you avoid foods containing E417?
E417 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 E417.
Full guide to E417: 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).