Foods Containing E464 (Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose)
E464 (Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose) is chemically modified plant cellulose, 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 E464
E464 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 E464 is to check its ingredients list, where it must be declared by law, either as "E464" or as "Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose".
How to spot E464 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: E464" or "thickeners and gelling agents: hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose". In the US the E-number system isn't used, so look for the full name "Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose" instead.
Should you avoid foods containing E464?
E464 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 E464.
Full guide to E464: 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).