E440b / Thickeners, stabilisers & emulsifiers
Amidated pectin
Safety in brief
Safe
Recorded EatMatrix rating, not a new clinical review. The amount, your sensitivities and country rules still matter.
- Watch for
- No allergen or sensitivity is recorded for this ingredient here. Check the whole product label; this is not an allergen-free guarantee.
- 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
Amidated pectin is a chemically modified form of pectin that gels more reliably across a wider range of sugar and acidity levels than standard pectin. It is used mainly in reduced-sugar jams, fruit fillings, and confectionery where regular pectin would not set well. Its food function is purely as a gelling and thickening agent.
Also appears on labels as: E440ii, E 440ii, E-440ii, E440b, E 440b, E-440b, INS 440(ii), Amidated pectin, Low methoxyl amidated pectin, LMA pectin, Pectin (amidated), Amidated LM pectin.
Dietary information
- Vegan
- Yes
- Halal
- Yes
- Gluten-free
- Yes
- Allergens
- None recorded
Recorded ingredient information. Check the product label or certification: sources, other ingredients and cross-contact can vary.
Research & body effects
Health notes from our ingredient record
- May cause mild bloating or gas at high intakes, as with other soluble fibers.
- Approved as safe by EFSA and FDA at typical food-use levels; considered similarly low-risk to standard pectin.
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.
- Amidated Pectin: Modified Pectin Safety and Enhanced Functionality Assessment — EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources, EFSA Journal - Pectins Assessment (2016). A detailed safety evaluation of amidated pectin (E440b) examining its use as an enhanced gelling agent with improved properties compared to regular pectin. The research confirmed that amidated pectin presents excellent safety margins while providing superior gel strength and stability in various food applications. The study noted its modification process maintains the safety profile of natural pectin while enhancing functional properties. The assessment supports its use in food applications requiring specialized gelling characteristics.[safe]
Country rules
Country checks for E440B
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 | No exact code match in the Annex II Part B list (version 2026-08-18, read 2026-10-07). Identity, subform and legal-use review are pending. This does not establish a permission or a ban. |
| Great Britain | No verified exact register record in this review. Identity and current use rules need checking; missing a record does not establish a ban. |
| United States | Complete current-use review pending. Any scoped provision in the label guide above applies only to the stated use. FDA explains the applicable food-additive and GRAS framework. |
| 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 | Exact preparation needs confirmation The Canadian list names pectin without separately naming amidated pectin. The local amidated preparation and legacy code need specification matching before the generic name can support a country decision. EatMatrix reading: Obtain degree of amidation, methoxylation and the applicable Canadian specification. Do not inherit the plain-pectin record from the neighbouring guide. Name and category review: . This describes the legal source check, not a finding that the ingredient is safe, unsafe or untested. Sources and names checkedNames checked: Amidated pectin; Amidated Pectin; Pectin, Amidated. All 15 Health Canada permitted-additive lists were checked by exact name, with the reviewed alternatives above. E-numbers alone are not Canadian ingredient names. The Justice Canada consolidation read was current to 21 September 2026. A complete product decision also requires its composition, specifications, intended food and use, quantities, applicable separate provisions and any later changes. |
| 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
- 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 |
Database updated: . What does an E number mean on a food label?
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
What is EatMatrix's recorded rating for E440B?
The recorded EatMatrix rating for E440B (Amidated pectin) 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 E440B vegan, halal or gluten-free?
According to our ingredient data for Amidated pectin — 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 E440B and why is it used?
Amidated pectin is a chemically modified form of pectin that gels more reliably across a wider range of sugar and acidity levels than standard pectin. It is used mainly in reduced-sugar jams, fruit fillings, and confectionery where regular pectin would not set well. Its food function is purely as a gelling and thickening agent.
Does E440B contain allergens?
No known allergens are recorded for Amidated pectin.
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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.