Foods Containing E440 (Pectin)
E440 (Pectin) is the natural gelling agent from fruit that makes jam set — safe, vegan and halal. Here's where you're most likely to find it on food labels.
Common foods that contain E440
E440 is used across sauces, soups, desserts, jams, plant milks and dairy alternatives. The foods where it appears most often include:
- Jams and marmalades
- Fruit jellies
- Yoghurts
- Confectionery
- Fruit juice drinks
Exact usage varies by brand and recipe — the only way to know for certain whether a specific product contains E440 is to check its ingredients list, where it must be declared by law, either as "E440" or as "Pectin".
How to spot E440 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: E440" or "thickeners and gelling agents: pectin". In the US the E-number system isn't used, so look for the full name "Pectin" instead.
Should you avoid foods containing E440?
E440 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 E440.
Full guide to E440: 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).