Watch
E418 — Gellan gum
Thickener
E418 (Gellan gum), a thickener, is rated "watch": fine in moderation. A thickener and gelling agent made by bacterial fermentation. Used in plant milks, fruit fillings, and confectionery.
What is Gellan gum?
A thickener and gelling agent produced by fermenting sugar with the bacterium Sphingomonas elodea. Increasingly common in plant milks, fruit fillings, and vegan jellies.
What does it do to the body?
Acts as soluble fiber. Generally well tolerated; very large amounts can have a mild laxative effect.
What regulators say
EFSA and the FDA both treat it as a safe additive with no numerical acceptable daily intake.
Risk rating: Watch
Mixed evidence or a specific concern (gut, allergy, or contested safety data). Not alarming, but worth keeping an eye on rather than eating without limit.
Frequently asked questions
Is E418 (Gellan gum) safe?
EFSA and the FDA both treat it as a safe additive with no numerical acceptable daily intake.
What is E418 (Gellan gum)?
A thickener and gelling agent produced by fermenting sugar with the bacterium Sphingomonas elodea. Increasingly common in plant milks, fruit fillings, and vegan jellies.
What does Gellan gum do to the body?
Acts as soluble fiber. Generally well tolerated; very large amounts can have a mild laxative effect.
What are other names for E418?
E418 is also known as gellan gum.
