About
Acacia gum is a dried exudate from the stems and branches of Acacia senegal (L.) Willdenow or closely related species, widely used as an emulsifier, stabilizer, and thickener in food. It is a complex, predominantly indigestible polysaccharide that behaves as a soluble dietary fibre, fermented in the colon by gut microbiota.
Safety summary
Both EFSA (2017) and JECFA (1982, 1990) concluded that no numerical ADI is needed, reflecting a broad safety margin at typical food-use levels. At very high oral doses (up to 30,000 mg/person/day for 18 days), some adults experienced flatulence, considered undesirable but not adverse. No genotoxicity, carcinogenicity concerns, or oral allergenicity have been identified in available studies.
Regulatory landscape
| Jurisdiction | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union) | Restricted | Not authorised for direct use as food additive in foods for infants below 16 weeks of age; carry-over from nutrient preparations limited to 10 mg/kg in infant formulae (FC 13.1.1) and dietary foods for infants for special medical purposes (FC 13.1.5.1) per Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008.source |
| FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States) | Approved | GRAS status under 21 CFR 184.1330; also regulated as emulsifier/stabilizer/thickener at ≤20% in alcoholic beverages under 21 CFR 172.780.source |
Who should approach with care
Research citations
- 1WHO. GSFA Online Food Additive Details – Gum Arabic (Acacia Gum) INS 414. fao.org
- 2FDA. Food Additive Status List – Acacia (Gum Arabic), 2026. fda.gov
- 3EFSA. Opinion on the re-evaluation of acacia gum (E 414) as a food additive in foods for infants below 16 weeks of age and the follow-up of its re-evaluation as a food additive for uses in foods for all population groups, 2019. efsa.europa.eu
- 4EFSA. Re-evaluation of acacia gum (E 414) as a food additive, 2017. efsa.europa.eu
- 5PubMed. Re-evaluation of acacia gum (E 414) as a food additive, 2017. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6PubMed. Acacia gum (Gum Arabic): a nutritional fibre; metabolism and calorific value, 1998. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
