E406 · Agar
- WHO
- Safe
- FDA
- Safe
- EFSA
- Safe
- FSANZ
- Safe
- Japan
- Safe
- UK FSA
- Safe
- Health Canada
- Safe
What is E406?
Agar is a gelling agent extracted from red algae (mainly Gelidium and Gracilaria species), used as a plant-based alternative to gelatin. It is added to jellies, desserts, dairy products, and canned meats/fish to set texture and improve stability. Agar is also the standard growth medium in microbiology labs, though that use is unrelated to its role as a food additive. It requires heating to dissolve and sets into a firmer, more brittle gel than gelatin.
Also appears on labels as: Agar, Agar-Agar, Agar Agar, Food Grade Agar, INS 406, E406, E 406, E-406, Agar (E406), Gelidium Extract, Gracilaria Extract, Seaweed Agar.
What the evidence says
- Large amounts of unhydrated agar can swell in the digestive tract and, in rare cases involving pills or gels swallowed without enough liquid, cause choking or esophageal blockage.
- High intake of any fiber-like gelling agent may cause bloating or laxative effects in sensitive individuals.
- Generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by FDA and approved by EFSA with no numerical ADI, reflecting low toxicity.
Frequently asked questions
Is E406 safe?
Our overall verdict for E406 (Agar) is “Safe”, based on the most cautious of the major regulators’ positions — FDA: safe; WHO: safe; EFSA: safe; FSANZ: safe; Japan: safe; UK FSA: safe; Health Canada: safe.
Is E406 vegan, halal or gluten-free?
According to our ingredient data for Agar — vegan: yes, vegetarian: yes, halal: yes, kosher: yes, gluten-free: yes, dairy-free: yes. Manufacturing sources can vary between products; check the label if it matters to you.
What is E406 and why is it used?
Agar is a gelling agent extracted from red algae (mainly Gelidium and Gracilaria species), used as a plant-based alternative to gelatin. It is added to jellies, desserts, dairy products, and canned meats/fish to set texture and improve stability. Agar is also the standard growth medium in microbiology labs, though that use is unrelated to its role as a food additive. It requires heating to dissolve and sets into a firmer, more brittle gel than gelatin.
Does E406 contain allergens?
No known allergens are recorded for Agar.
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This page summarises publicly available regulatory assessments and research. It is general information, not medical advice. Sources: EFSA, FDA, WHO and the studies linked above.