Carrageenan E407 is used as a a gelling agent, thickener, stabilizer, suspending agent and clarifier. Carrageenan E407 is often used in the manufacturing of products such as cotton candy, jelly, ham, canned meat, ice cream, various beverages, cocoa milk, pudding, baby food, beer, bread, minced fish meat, and more. Though it’s considered safe, some are convinced it has potentially dangerous health effects.
What Is Carrageenan E407?
Carrageenan E407 is a food additive that used as both a stabilizer and a thickener. Carrageenan E407 has large, flexible molecular structure so it can perform properly at a variety of temperatures.
Possible Side Effects of Carrageenan E407
Although Carrageenan E407 generally regarded as a very safe and effective supplement, there can be some minor side effects. The side effects may:
- inflammation
- bloating
- irritable bowel syndrome
- glucose intolerance
- colon cancer
- food allergies
GRAS Affirmation: Yes
Generally recognized as safe (GRAS) is an American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designation that a chemical or substance added to food is considered safe by experts, and so is exempted from the usual Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) food additive tolerance requirements. Carrageenan E407 is considered safe.
Suggested Dosage
NA.
Special Populations Precaution
There is a lot of concern about diet and nutrition for these population, like Newborns, children, pregnant, sensitive to Carrageenan populations. Better consult to your doctor if you would like to intake Carrageenan E407.
Related Research
1. Food additive carrageenan: Part II: A critical review of carrageenan in vivo safety studies. [Crit Rev Toxicol. 2014 Mar] Author: Weiner ML.
2. Food additive carrageenan: Part I: A critical review of carrageenan in vitro studies, potential pitfalls, and implications for human health and safety. [Crit Rev Toxicol. 2014 Mar] Author: McKim JM.
3. Efficacy and safety of an antiviral Iota-Carrageenan nasal spray: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled exploratory study in volunteers with early symptoms of the common cold. [Respir Res. 2010 Aug 10] Author: Eccles R, Meier C, Jawad M, Weinmüllner R, Grassauer A, Prieschl-Grassauer E.
4. Carrageenan: a safe additive. [Kirsch PP.] Author: Kirsch PP.
5. Preliminary safety and acceptability of a carrageenan gel for possible use as a vaginal microbicide. [Sex Transm Infect. 2000 Dec] Author: Coggins C, Blanchard K, Alvarez F, Brache V, Weisberg E, Kilmarx PH, Lacarra M, Massai R, Mishell D Jr, Salvatierra A, Witwatwongwana P, Elias C, Ellertson C.