Foods Containing E466 (Carboxymethyl Cellulose)
E466 (Carboxymethyl 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 E466
E466 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 E466 is to check its ingredients list, where it must be declared by law, either as "E466" or as "Carboxymethyl Cellulose".
How to spot E466 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: E466" or "thickeners and gelling agents: carboxymethyl cellulose". In the US the E-number system isn't used, so look for the full name "Carboxymethyl Cellulose" instead.
Should you avoid foods containing E466?
E466 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 E466 is not considered harmful.
Full guide to E466: 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).