E407 / Thickeners, stabilisers & emulsifiers
Carrageenan
Safety in brief
Safe
Recorded EatMatrix rating, not a new clinical review. The amount, your sensitivities and country rules still matter.
- Watch for
- Recorded sensitivities: May aggravate symptoms in people with inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome..
- Our advice
- Read the whole food label and consider how often you eat the product. A name or E number does not tell you the amount, and an ingredient rating cannot assess the entire food.
What it is
Carrageenan is a group of polysaccharides extracted from red seaweed, used as a gelling, thickening, and stabilizing agent in dairy products, plant-based milks, deli meats, and desserts. It has no nutritional value and is not digested by the body. Regulatory bodies (EFSA, FDA) consider food-grade carrageenan safe, though some research has raised questions about degraded carrageenan (poligeenan) and gut inflammation in animal studies — a distinct, non-food-grade substance not permitted as an additive.
Also appears on labels as: Carrageenan, E407, E 407, E-407, Chondrus extract, Irish moss extract, Seaweed extract, Kappa-carrageenan, Iota-carrageenan, Lambda-carrageenan, Carrageenin, Carragheen.
Dietary information
- Vegan
- Yes
- Halal
- Yes
- Gluten-free
- Yes
- Allergens
- Caution
Recorded ingredient information. Check the product label or certification: sources, other ingredients and cross-contact can vary.
Research & body effects
What selected human studies mean for E407
Diabetes: a long-term association
A 2024 analysis followed 104,139 French adults, with 1,056 new type 2 diabetes diagnoses over an average 6.8 years. Higher estimated additive-origin carrageenan gum intake was associated with more diagnoses. This observational study cannot show that the additive caused diabetes. It uses the same NutriNet-Santé cohort as other preservative studies, not an independent population.
Keep E407 separate from processed Eucheuma seaweed (E407a) and degraded carrageenan, called poligeenan.
A newer randomized pilot: changes are not all the same
First published online in August 2025, with its journal issue in April 2026, this exploratory study describes 60 healthy volunteers. After two weeks on an emulsifier-free diet, participants continued for four weeks with one of five added preparations or no additives. It found no significant differences from placebo in measured intestinal or systemic inflammation, or metabolic endpoints. Stool bacteria and fermentation products can change without proving clinical disease.
The abstract reports an increase in one gut-permeability measure from the carrageenan group’s own baseline. That is not the same comparison as a significant difference from placebo.
The initial cholesterol decrease occurred during the shared diet phase. It cannot identify a benefit caused by removing this one additive. Small arms and short follow-up leave longer-term effects uncertain.
Carrageenan trials: keep the main result visible
A November 2024 crossover trial gave 20 healthy young men carrageenan, 250 mg twice daily, or placebo for two weeks each. The primary overall insulin-sensitivity measures did not significantly differ. Other analyses found greater gut permeability and interactions with body size. Those findings need follow-up; they do not show that these men developed diabetes.
A separate 2023 pilot in seven people with ulcerative colitis in remission found no significant difference in the primary disease-activity score or biochemical markers over seven-day periods. Its oat beta-glucan comparator may itself affect symptoms. A small, short null trial cannot settle long-term flare risk or prove safety for every patient.
Disease-specific diets answer another question
A 2025 exploratory trial assigned 24 people with active Crohn’s disease to higher- or lower-emulsifier diets for four weeks. Outcomes improved in both groups, with no significant difference between diets. Many additives varied together. Carrageenan and polysorbate-80 exposures were low, while CMC’s amount could not be quantified. This cannot isolate this additive or overturn a trial using a different dose and population.
EatMatrix’s reading and a practical choice
A study can raise a useful question without settling whether an additive causes illness. We keep the tested form, comparison, measured outcome and unanswered questions together. Compare the whole food, including fibre, salt, free sugars and how often you eat it. An E number alone does not tell you the amount you consumed.
If you have inflammatory bowel disease or persistent symptoms, discuss food changes with your care team; a restrictive diet based on these summaries is not a proven personal treatment. WHO healthy-diet guidance
Selected sources checked 9 October 2026. Cohort and five-preparation trial: abstracts read; full methods, supplements and complete funding/conflict appraisal remain pending. CMC, insulin-sensitivity, colitis and whole-diet trials: selected main-text methods/results/limitations and declarations read, not all supplements. Some CMC, insulin and whole-diet trial authors disclose industry relationships; the colitis pilot reports foundation funding and no potential conflicts. Indexed comments were identified, but their complete texts were not all accessible; absence of an indexed correction is not proof none exists. This is not an exhaustive clinical or current-country-use review. Recorded ratings and country permissions are unchanged.
Selected research on E407
How to read study types- Randomized trialFive-additive pilot trial (online 2025; April 2026 issue)
Four-week pilot: no significant placebo difference in inflammation/metabolic endpoints. The abstract reports an increase in one gut-permeability measure from the carrageenan group’s own baseline. That is not the same comparison as a significant difference from placebo.
- Randomized trialRelated whole-diet trial in active Crohn’s disease
Related whole-diet context: 24 patients with active Crohn’s disease had no significant between-diet outcome differences over four weeks. Many additives varied together; selected exposures were low or unquantified. This does not isolate the effect of this one additive.
- Randomized trialCarrageenan and insulin sensitivity: crossover trial
In 20 healthy young men, 250 mg twice daily for two weeks did not significantly change the primary overall insulin-sensitivity measures versus placebo. Gut-permeability and BMI interaction findings warrant further study; this was not a trial of new diabetes diagnoses.
- Observational studyEmulsifiers and type 2 diabetes: NutriNet-Santé cohort
A French cohort associated this named exposure with more new diabetes diagnoses. Same French cohort, not independent replication or proof of causation. Keep E407 separate from processed Eucheuma seaweed (E407a) and degraded carrageenan, called poligeenan.
- Randomized trialShort carrageenan crossover pilot in ulcerative colitis
Seven people with ulcerative colitis in remission had no significant difference in the primary disease-activity score or measured biochemical markers over seven-day periods. The beta-glucan comparator, tiny sample and short follow-up do not establish long-term safety.
Earlier source summaries checked ; latest additions checked . See the detailed research section for what was read and the remaining limits. This is a selection of sources, not a complete literature review. Authority assessments apply to the uses and places they cover.
Health notes from our ingredient record
- Some studies link degraded carrageenan (poligeenan, not the food-grade additive) to gut inflammation in animal models; evidence in humans at approved food-grade levels is limited.
- May worsen symptoms in people with existing digestive conditions such as IBS or IBD, according to some observational reports.
- Considered safe at typical dietary levels by EFSA and FDA, though debate about long-term safety continues among some researchers.
Other references from our ingredient record
These links come from the original ingredient record. They are separate from the source reviews above and have not all been checked for the exact ingredient, amount consumed or claim. Dates are shown newest first.
- Re‐evaluation of carrageenan (E 407) and processed Eucheuma seaweed (E 407a) as food additives — EFSA Panel on Food Additives, EFSA Journal (2018). Official EFSA scientific opinion (bibliographic reference, imported 2026-10-13). It covers the additive as a group assessment and is not an individual human study; read the opinion for its findings.
Country rules
Country checks for E407
Permission depends on the market, type of food, amount and conditions. A scientific opinion or an E-number alone does not establish a legal use. These checks are separate from the stored EatMatrix rating.
Compare all eight markets and their sources
| Market | What is checked |
|---|---|
| European Union | Regulation (EC) 1333/2008, Annex II Part B, version , contains the exact code E407: Carrageenan. Listing alone does not allow every food use. Part E food categories, limits, specifications and applicable later acts still need a product-specific check. Source read: . |
| Great Britain | The FSA register record for E407 (Carrageenan) lists “Authorised” in England, Scotland and Wales. Register updated: 01 April 2025; record checked: . Food-specific conditions and specifications still need a separate legal check. |
| United States | Selected US conditions for Carrageenan Official federal text current through ; read . Food uses, limits and exceptionsA defined refined hydrocolloid The provision specifies refined carrageenan from listed red-seaweed species, with sulfate content of 20–40% on a dry-weight basis. It is used at the amount needed for emulsifying, stabilising or thickening, except in standardised foods whose standards do not provide for it. This is not a permission for degraded carrageenan (poligeenan), every seaweed product or every infant formula. EatMatrix’s reading: a legal use condition answers where and how an ingredient may be used. It is not a test of your product, a personal safe intake or a claim that the ingredient benefits your body. Match the named substance, food and amount. Other federal provisions, food standards, state rules and later changes may also apply; this is a selected source review, not a complete product-compliance decision. |
| Northern Ireland | Review pending. Check the applicable EU rules and territory arrangements; the GB register alone does not establish this status. FSA guidance is a starting source, not a verified permission for this entry. |
| Canada | Named food-use records located. Health Canada lists the preparations below for specified foods and purposes. This is conditional permission for those uses, not approval of every product or a personal safety verdict. Only the named records and conditions below were located. Exact composition and specifications still need matching. Source tables captured . List publication dates are shown separately. Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) is a condition of use, not an unlimited amount or a recommended intake. Food and Drug Regulations B.16.003 requires the listed source, purpose, amount and other conditions to match. The official consolidation read was current to 21 September 2026; product specifications and applicable later changes still need checking. Read 27 listed food-use conditionsCarrageenanHealth Canada: List of Permitted Emulsifying, Gelling, Stabilizing or Thickening Agents. List published ; item C.14.
EatMatrix reading: match the exact preparation and food first. A manufacturing limit is not an acceptable daily intake (ADI). A label without the amount cannot establish exposure, and an unlisted name here does not establish a ban. |
| Australia | Review pending. Food Standards Code permissions and conditions need an additive-specific check. FSANZ food-additive rules is a starting source, not a verified permission for this entry. |
| New Zealand | Review pending. Food Standards Code permissions and conditions need an additive-specific check. FSANZ food-additive rules is a starting source, not a verified permission for this entry. |
| Japan | Review pending. The relevant list, identity and use standards need an additive-specific check. CAA food-additive lists is a starting source, not a verified permission for this entry. |
Sources & review status
Check what each source covers: an authority’s conclusion, a research finding and a country’s legal permission answer different questions.
What this guide covers
- Selected research
- 5 source summaries, with publication dates and study types. Several publications may describe the same study population.
- Official assessment sources
- Commission-listed EFSA references for E407. Bibliographic identity checked; latest findings and current use rules need separate review.
- Original ingredient record
- 1 research link; newest recorded date: . Sources added separately to this guide are not included in this count.
This guide brings together our ingredient record and the dated sources shown here. Missing information describes a gap in this guide; it does not mean an ingredient is untested, safe or harmful. This is not a complete review of every study, preparation or current country rule. The amount in a product and how it is used still matter.
How to read the ratings, research and country checksAgency labels recorded by EatMatrix
These are imported database classifications, not verified current statements from each authority. Use the dated official sources below for their actual scope and conclusions.
| Authority | Database label |
|---|---|
| FDA | Safe |
| WHO | Safe |
| EFSA | Safe |
| FSANZ | Safe |
| Japan | Safe |
| UK FSA | Safe |
| Health Canada | Safe |
Official assessment sources for E407
The European Commission’s re-evaluation table lists official EFSA documents for this additive. Their identifiers and subjects were checked against publisher bibliographic records. A missing research link in the EatMatrix database does not mean the additive has never been assessed.
Name in the Commission table: Carrageenan.
- Re‐evaluation of carrageenan (E 407) and processed Eucheuma seaweed (E 407a) as food additives
EFSA scientific opinion. Published: .
These are assessment references, including historical or group assessments. They do not establish the latest scientific conclusion, a human health benefit or risk, or current permission to use the additive in a particular food. Later assessments, corrections and food-use conditions need separate review. The recorded EatMatrix rating above is unchanged.
European Commission re-evaluation table, status as of . EatMatrix checked this bibliography on .
Database updated: . What does an E number mean on a food label?
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
What is EatMatrix's recorded rating for E407?
The recorded EatMatrix rating for E407 (Carrageenan) is “Safe”. It is calculated from labels stored in our ingredient database. These labels are not verified current regulator decisions or country permissions. A database update date is not a scientific review date.
Is E407 vegan, halal or gluten-free?
According to our ingredient data for Carrageenan — 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 E407 and why is it used?
Carrageenan is a group of polysaccharides extracted from red seaweed, used as a gelling, thickening, and stabilizing agent in dairy products, plant-based milks, deli meats, and desserts. It has no nutritional value and is not digested by the body. Regulatory bodies (EFSA, FDA) consider food-grade carrageenan safe, though some research has raised questions about degraded carrageenan (poligeenan) and gut inflammation in animal studies — a distinct, non-food-grade substance not permitted as an additive.
Does E407 contain allergens?
No known allergens are recorded for Carrageenan, with a caution: May aggravate symptoms in people with inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome..
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This page shows information and classifications recorded in our ingredient database. Current scientific and market-specific verification remains pending as described above. It is general information, not medical advice.