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Guar Gum (E412) — What You Need to Know

Generally Safe(8/10)Natural

The score is an eNumbers.org editorial summary, not an official agency rating or medical advice. Start with the regulatory status and primary sources below.

What Is Guar Gum?

Guar gum is a natural polysaccharide extracted from the seeds of the guar plant (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba), grown primarily in India and Pakistan. It is one of the most widely used food thickeners and is roughly 8 times more effective as a thickener than cornstarch. It is also a significant source of soluble dietary fiber and has demonstrated cholesterol-lowering effects.

What Is It Used For?

Thickens and stabilizes ice cream, salad dressings, sauces, soups, and bakery products. Used in gluten-free foods alongside xanthan gum. Also used as a dietary fiber supplement for weight management and cholesterol reduction.

Function: Thickener, stabilizer, dietary fiber
8 mg
Dataset exposure estimate

Exposure figures are population-level references, not personal limits. Actual intake varies by diet, product and jurisdiction.

Regulatory & Editorial Context

📊
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
No ADI established — considered safe without a defined limit
🏛️
Regulatory Status
🇺🇸 USA (FDA): GRAS
🇪🇺 EU (EFSA): Authorized
⚠️ Key Concerns

Generally very safe. Large doses (above the typical food additive amounts, such as when used as a weight loss supplement) can cause abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence, and diarrhea. In 1990, a guar gum-based diet aid caused esophageal and intestinal obstruction leading to deaths — this was due to the product swelling before water intake, not normal food additive use. At normal food additive levels, no safety concerns.

Editorial context score

eNumbers.org currently assigns Guar Gum an editorial context label of Generally Safe with a score of 8/10. This is 0.2 points below the database average for thickeners (8.2/10). Dataset reference year: 2017.

This score is not issued by EFSA, FDA, WHO or another regulator.

Commonly Found In

Ice creamSalad dressingsGluten-free breadSoupsSaucesDairy products
Example brands:
Bob's Red Mill

Always check the label for E412 or 'Guar Gum'

▶Chemical Information
CAS Number: 9000-30-0
INS Number: 412
Also known as: E412, INS 412, Guar flour, Guaran, Jaguar gum

Frequently Asked Questions about Guar Gum

Current dataset status: FDA — GRAS; EFSA/EU — Authorized. Reported concerns: Generally very safe. Large doses (above the typical food additive amounts, such as when used as a weight loss supplement) can cause abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence, and diarrhea. In 1990, a guar gum-based diet aid caused esophageal and intestinal obstruction leading to deaths — this was due to the product swelling before water intake, not normal food additive use. At normal food additive levels, no safety concerns. Regulatory status and individual risk are not the same; check the primary sources and permitted conditions of use.

Quick Facts

E-Number
E412
INS Number
412
Category
Thickeners
Origin
Natural
FDA Status
GRAS
EFSA Status
Authorized
ADI
No limit
Dataset Review
2017
Ingredient-level Dietary Notes
Vegan: ✅ YesHalal: ✅ YesKosher: ✅ YesGluten-Free: ✅ Yes

Carriers, processing aids and product certification can change suitability. Verify the final label and certifier.

Quick Links

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

Related Additives

Other thickeners in the same family

Xanthan Gum (E415)Carrageenan (E407)