Tara gum E417 is used as a thickener and stabilizer in dairy products (ice cream, cheese, cream, yogurt), tortillas, canned vegetables and legumes and other foods. Though it’s considered safe, some are convinced it has potentially dangerous health effects.
What Is Tara Gum E417?
Tara Gum E417 appears as a white or beige, nearly odorless powder that is produced by separating and grinding the endosperm of C. spinosa seeds. Tara gum E417 is used as a thickening agent and stabilizer in a number of food applications. Blends of tara with modified and unmodified starches can be produced which have enhanced stabilization and emulsification properties, and these are used in the preparation of convenience foods, such as ice cream, cheese products, processed fruit, and fat spreads.
Possible Side Effects of Tara Gum E417
Although Tara Gum E417 generally regarded as a very safe and effective supplement, there can be some minor side effects. The side effects may:
- Consumption of large amounts may result in abdominal bloating and excessive gas (flatulence).
GRAS Affirmation: No
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.
Tara gum is currently not listed as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but it has “Adequate Daily Intake (ADI) not specified” status by JECFA, which is the highest safety category.
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 Tara Gum populations. Better consult to your doctor if you would like to intake Tara Gum E417.
Related Research
1. Physicochemical and thermomechanical characterization of tara gum edible films: Effect of polyols as plasticizers. [Carbohydr Polym. 2014 Oct] Author: Antoniou J, Liu F, Majeed H, Qazi HJ, Zhong F.
2. Chronic effects of agar, guar gum, gum arabic, locust-bean gum, or tara gum in F344 rats and B6C3F1 mice. [Food Chem Toxicol. 1983 Jun] Author: Melnick RL, Huff J, Haseman JK, Dieter MP, Grieshaber CK, Wyand DS, Russfield AB, Murthy AS, Fleischman RW, Lilja HS.
3. Carcinogenesis Bioassay of Tara Gum (CAS No. 39300-88-4) in F344 Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Feed Study). [Natl Toxicol Program Tech Rep Ser. 1982 Mar] Author: National Toxicology Program.