Thickeners & Gelling Agents — Complete E-Number Guide

Thickeners & Gelling Agents are food additives (E400–E499) that thicken and gel foods. Found in soups, sauces, yoghurts, jams and confectionery. Every additive below links to its full safety, vegan and halal breakdown.

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E-NumberNameSafetyVeganHalal
E400 Alginic Acid Safe Yes Halal
E401 Sodium Alginate Safe Yes Halal
E402 Potassium Alginate Safe Yes Halal
E403 Ammonium Alginate Safe Yes Halal
E404 Calcium Alginate Safe Yes Halal
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E405 Propylene Glycol Alginate Safe Yes Halal
E406 Agar Safe Yes Halal
E407 Carrageenan Some concerns Yes Halal
E410 Locust Bean Gum Safe Yes Halal
E412 Guar Gum Safe Yes Halal
E413 Tragacanth Safe Yes Halal
E414 Acacia Gum Safe Yes Halal
E415 Xanthan Gum Safe Yes Halal
E416 Karaya Gum Safe Yes Halal
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E417 Tara Gum Safe Yes Halal
E418 Gellan Gum Safe Yes Halal
E425 Konjac Safe Yes Halal
E426 Soybean Hemicellulose Safe Yes Halal
E427 Cassia Gum Safe Yes Halal
E440 Pectins Safe Yes Halal
E461 Methyl Cellulose Safe Yes Halal
E462 Ethyl Cellulose Safe Yes Halal
E463 Hydroxypropyl Cellulose Safe Yes Halal
E464 Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose Safe Yes Halal
E465 Methyl Ethyl Cellulose Safe Yes Halal
E466 Sodium Carboxy Methyl Cellulose Safe Yes Halal
E468 Crosslinked Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose Safe Yes Halal
E469 Enzymatically Hydrolysed Carboxymethyl Cellulose Safe Yes Halal
E407a Processed Eucheuma Seaweed Some concerns Yes Halal

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Products for thickeners & gelling agents

Alternatives and resources related to thickeners & gelling agents

Best match

Natural Thickeners
Arrowroot, tapioca starch and natural gums for thickening.

Natural Thickeners on Amazon →

Gluten-Free Baking
Books for baking with natural thickeners instead of additives.

Gluten-Free Baking →

Food Intolerance Test
Find out which additives are affecting you with a home test kit.

Intolerance test kits →

Data: Open Food Facts (ODbL) · EFSA

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