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E412ThickenerLow concern
Guar Gum
In plain words
The short version
A natural plant gum extracted from guar bean endosperm, used to thicken sauces and dairy.
Why it's green
It's widely considered safe at the amounts used in food, so we mark it green. The Safety section below has the details.
Safety profile
No ADI specified. Generally well tolerated; high doses can cause bloating or gas as it ferments in the colon. Has been linked to esophageal obstruction when consumed as dry powder without enough liquid.
The detail
Extracted from the seeds of the guar plant, cultivated primarily in India and Pakistan. The legume has been used as cattle feed and human food for centuries.
Common in ice cream, salad dressings, sauces, gluten-free baked goods, and processed cheese. Provides viscosity and improves texture and freeze-thaw stability.
Off-white free-flowing powder, hydrates in cold water to form a viscous solution at very low concentrations (0.1% to 1%). Synergistic with xanthan gum.
Permitted as a food additive in the EU and US. The US GRAS rule sets maximum usage levels by food category (as served), for example 0.35% in baked goods, 2.0% in fats and oils, and 0.5% in food categories not otherwise listed.
Sources
- EFSA — Re-evaluation of guar gum (E 412) as a food additive (2017) — European Food Safety Authority (EFSA Journal), 2017. No numerical ADI needed; no concern for general population
- EFSA — Re-evaluation of guar gum (E 412) in foods for infants below 16 weeks and follow-up for all population groups (2024) — European Food Safety Authority (EFSA Journal), 2024. Data insufficient for safe use in foods for infants and young children
- WHO JECFA database — Guar gum (INS 412): ADI 'not specified' — Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (WHO), 1975. No ADI specified
- US eCFR — 21 CFR 184.1339 Guar gum (affirmed as GRAS), current as of 13 Oct 2026 — US Food and Drug Administration / Office of the Federal Register, 2026. US maximum usage levels by food category
Checked against these sources on .
Educational information only. Not medical, dietary or veterinary advice. Spotted an error? Tell us.