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Carrageenan (E407) — What You Need to Know

Questionable(4/10)Natural
4
QUESTIONABLE
Safety Score: 4/10

What Is Carrageenan?

Carrageenan is a natural polysaccharide extracted from red seaweed (primarily Irish moss). It has been used in food preparation for centuries and is widely used in the modern food industry for its gelling and thickening properties. Despite its natural origin, carrageenan has been one of the most controversial food additives, with researchers and advocacy groups raising concerns about its potential inflammatory effects in the gut.

What Is It Used For?

Thickens and stabilizes dairy products, plant-based milks, infant formula, processed meats, and salad dressings. Creates smooth textures in ice cream and chocolate milk and prevents ingredient separation.

Function: Thickener, gelling agent, stabilizer
3 mg
Typical daily intake

Safety Assessment

📊
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
No limit (food grade) mg/kg bw/day
🏛️
Regulatory Status
🇪🇺 EU: Authorized
🇺🇸 US: Approved
🇯🇵 JP: Approved
🇦🇺 AU: Approved
🇨🇦 CA: Approved
⚠️ Key Concerns

The safety of carrageenan has been debated since the 1970s. Researcher Joanne Tobacman has published multiple papers suggesting that food-grade carrageenan may cause inflammation, intestinal lesions, and possibly contribute to cancer development. However, the FDA, EFSA, and FAO/WHO have reviewed the evidence and maintain that food-grade carrageenan is safe. They distinguish between food-grade carrageenan and degraded carrageenan (poligeenan), which is a known carcinogen. Carrageenan is banned in EU organic products and US organic foods by the USDA National Organic Program since 2018, though this is based on organic standards rather than safety findings. Some people report digestive issues when consuming carrageenan-containing products.

Our Assessment

Based on current evidence, Carrageenan is rated Questionable with a score of 4/10. This is 4.2 points below the average for thickeners (8.2/10). Last reviewed by regulators: 2018.

Commonly Found In

Chocolate milkIce creamInfant formulaPlant-based milksDeli meatsSalad dressings
Example brands:
SilkHorizon Organic

Always check the label for E407 or 'Carrageenan'

▶Chemical Information
CAS Number: 9000-07-1
INS Number: 407
Also known as: E407, INS 407, Irish moss extract, Chondrus extract

Frequently Asked Questions about Carrageenan

Carrageenan has a Safety Score of 4/10 (Questionable). The safety of carrageenan has been debated since the 1970s. Researcher Joanne Tobacman has published multiple papers suggesting that food-grade carrageenan may cause inflammation, intestinal lesions, and possibly contribute to cancer development. However, the FDA, EFSA, and FAO/WHO have reviewed the evidence and maintain that food-grade carrageenan is safe. They distinguish between food-grade carrageenan and degraded carrageenan (poligeenan), which is a known carcinogen. Carrageenan is banned in EU organic products and US organic foods by the USDA National Organic Program since 2018, though this is based on organic standards rather than safety findings. Some people report digestive issues when consuming carrageenan-containing products.

Quick Facts

E-Number
E407
INS Number
407
Category
Thickeners
Origin
Natural
FDA Status
GRAS (not permitted in organic foods per USDA NOP)
EFSA Status
Authorized (not permitted in infant formula)
ADI
No limit (food grade) mg/kg bw/day
Last Review
2018
Dietary Compatibility
Vegan: ✅ YesHalal: ✅ YesKosher: ✅ YesGluten-Free: ✅ Yes

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Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for health-related decisions.

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