Xanthan Gum
The short version
A microbial polysaccharide used as a versatile thickener and stabilizer in modern foods.
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 safe. In 2011 the FDA warned against feeding a xanthan gum-based thickener (SimplyThick) to infants born before 37 weeks of gestation because of a possible link with necrotizing enterocolitis. EFSA considers these cases not related to the use of xanthan gum as an additive in manufactured infant formula, and in 2023 found no safety concern for its authorised use in foods for special medical purposes for infants below 16 weeks of age.
Sources
- EFSA ANS Panel — Re-evaluation of xanthan gum (E 415) as a food additive (2017) — European Food Safety Authority (EFSA Journal), 2017. No numerical ADI needed; no safety concern
- EFSA FAF Panel — Re-evaluation of xanthan gum (E 415) in foods for infants below 16 weeks and follow-up (2023) — European Food Safety Authority (EFSA Journal), 2023. FDA 2011 SimplyThick/NEC warning; no safety concern in infant special medical formulae
- WHO JECFA database — Xanthan gum (INS 415), 2016 evaluation — World Health Organization / JECFA, 2016. ADI not specified; infant formula use up to 1000 mg/L of no concern
- 21 CFR 172.695 — Xanthan gum (eCFR, current to 13 Oct 2026) — US Office of the Federal Register / FDA, 2026. US food additive authorisation; produced by Xanthomonas campestris fermentation
Checked against these sources on .
Educational information only. Not medical, dietary or veterinary advice. Spotted an error? Tell us.