About
Apple pectin is a naturally occurring acidic heteropolysaccharide extracted primarily from apple pomace and used in the food industry as a gelling agent, thickener, and stabiliser in products such as jams, jellies, confectionery, and acid-based milk beverages. It is a dietary fibre that is not absorbed intact but is extensively fermented by intestinal microbiota.
Safety summary
EFSA allocated an ADI of 'not specified' for pectin (E440i), reflecting a broad safety consensus for the general adult population at typical food-use levels. EFSA noted that EU specifications permit trace heavy-metal impurities (arsenic, lead, mercury, cadmium) whose cumulative contribution to dietary exposure warrants monitoring, particularly for high consumers. Pectin is not absorbed intact and poses no systemic toxicity concern at normal intake levels; no adverse effects were observed in rat or human studies up to the tested doses.
Regulatory landscape
| Jurisdiction | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union) | Approved | ADI 'not specified' confirmed by EFSA ANS Panel re-evaluation (2017). Authorised under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 in a wide range of food categories. A follow-up call for data on uses in infants below 16 weeks was issued; authorisation may be revised if data gaps are not resolved. EFSA recommended reduction of maximum permitted levels in certain infant food categories (13.1.5.1 and 13.1.5.2) to limit methanol exposure.source |
| FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India) | Approved | Pectin is listed in Appendix A of FSSAI Food Additives Regulations as a permitted stabiliser/gelling agent at GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) levels. Fruit-derived pectin including apple pectin is specifically permitted at GMP level in fruit and vegetable products (jams, jellies, marmalades) per FSSAI Chapter 2.3. Solid pectin is also regulated under contaminant limits (lead MRL: 300 mg/kg for solid pectin product).source |
| FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States) | Approved | Listed as GRAS under 21 CFR Part 184 (direct food substances affirmed as GRAS). Permitted as a stabiliser, thickener, and texturiser in foods. Quantity must not exceed the amount necessary to achieve the intended technical effect.source |
Who should approach with care
Research citations
- 1FDA. FDA GRAS Substances Database: Pectin. hfpappexternal.fda.gov
- 2PubMed. Pectin: A Bioactive Food Polysaccharide with Cancer Preventive Potential, 2022. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3EFSA. Opinion on the re-evaluation of pectin (E 440i) and amidated pectin (E 440ii) as food additives in foods for infants below 16 weeks of age and follow-up of their re-evaluation as food additives for uses in foods for all population groups, 2021. efsa.europa.eu
- 4EFSA. Re-evaluation of pectin (E 440i) and amidated pectin (E 440ii) as food additives, 2017. efsa.europa.eu
- 5PubMed. Re-evaluation of pectin (E 440i) and amidated pectin (E 440ii) as food additives (PMC full text), 2017. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6FSSAI. Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011 — Appendix A: List of Food Additives, 2011.