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E418ThickenerLow concern
Gellan Gum
In plain words
The short version
A bacterial polysaccharide — used for clean, transparent gels at very low concentrations.
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. Considered safe and well tolerated. Behaves as a soluble fiber. No documented allergenicity.
The detail
Discovered in 1978 by Kelco researchers studying the bacterium Sphingomonas elodea (originally Pseudomonas elodea). Produced by aerobic fermentation of glucose by the bacterium and recovered as a polysaccharide. Commercialized as Kelcogel in the 1980s.
Used in plant milks (to suspend solids and create body), dessert jellies, dairy alternatives, and molecular gastronomy for crystal-clear gels. Gels at very low concentrations (0.1–0.5%) with a clean break and excellent flavor release. Two forms — high-acyl (soft elastic gel) and low-acyl (firm brittle gel).
Off-white powder, requires ions (calcium, sodium) and heating above ~70°C to fully hydrate. Forms heat-reversible gels with characteristic clean-break texture.
Permitted globally without restrictive limits for food use.
Sources
- EFSA — Re-evaluation of gellan gum (E 418) as food additive, EFSA Journal 2018;16(6):5296, doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2018.5296 (full text on PubMed Central) — European Food Safety Authority (ANS Panel), 2018. No numerical ADI; no safety concern at reported uses
- WHO JECFA database — Gellan gum (INS 418), ADI 'not specified' (first allocated at the 37th meeting, 1990; latest entry 100th meeting, 2025, specifications only) — WHO / Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives, 2025. No ADI specified
- eCFR — 21 CFR 172.665 Gellan gum (food additive regulation) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration / Office of the Federal Register. US: approved food additive; produced by fermentation with (Ps.) elodea
- EUR-Lex — Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives, consolidated text of 18 August 2026 (Annex II, Group I) — European Union (Publications Office), 2026. EU: permitted at quantum satis
Checked against these sources on .
Educational information only. Not medical, dietary or veterinary advice. Spotted an error? Tell us.