About
Guar gum is a natural high-molecular-weight galactomannan polysaccharide derived from the endosperm of seeds of the leguminous guar plant (Cyamopsis tetragonolobus L.), composed of galactopyranose and mannopyranose units linked by glycosidic bonds. It is widely used in food as a thickener, stabilizer, and emulsifier due to its strong water-binding and viscosity-building properties.
Safety summary
JECFA (1970–1975) and the EU Scientific Committee for Food (1977) both allocated an ADI of 'not specified', a position confirmed by the EFSA ANS Panel in 2017, which found no adverse effects in subchronic or carcinogenicity studies and no genotoxicity concern for the general population. High doses may cause abdominal discomfort, particularly in infants and young children; EFSA's 2024 follow-up opinion concluded that submitted data are insufficient to support safe use in infant formulae and young-child foods, prompting the EU to move toward withdrawing authorization in those food categories. Historical batches of India-origin guar gum have been found contaminated with pentachlorophenol (PCP) and dioxins, leading to standing EU special import conditions.
Regulatory landscape
| Jurisdiction | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union) | Approved | JECFA assessed guar gum at meetings in 1970, 1974, and 1975 and allocated ADI 'not specified'; functional class: EMULSIFIER, STABILIZER, THICKENER. INS 412.source |
| FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India) | Approved | Permitted as INS 412 at GMP levels in general food categories (dairy beverages, etc.) per FSS Food Additives Regulations. In infant formula, maximum permitted level is 0.1 g per 100 ml in liquid formulas containing hydrolyzed protein per FSSAI Infant Foods Regulations Version-II (2024). Also explicitly listed as a permitted emulsifying/stabilizing agent in FSS Regulations 2009.source |
| JECFA (JECFA (FAO/WHO)) | Approved | ADI 'not specified' allocated at the 19th JECFA meeting (1975), based on absence of adverse effects in available toxicity studies. Specifications reviewed at 44th and 53rd JECFA; two monographs (standard and clarified grade) prepared at 67th JECFA (2006). Scientific Committee for Food (SCF) endorsed the ADI 'not specified' in 1977.source |
| FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States) | Approved | Affirmed GRAS under 21 CFR 184.1339 as a thickener, emulsifier, and stabilizer for direct human food use.source |
Who should approach with care
Research citations
- 1FDA. 21 CFR 184.1339 – Guar Gum (Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21). accessdata.fda.gov
- 2WHO. JECFA Monograph: Guar Gum (INS 412, CAS 9000-30-0). apps.who.int
- 3EFSA. Re-evaluation of guar gum (E 412) as a food additive in foods for infants below 16 weeks of age and follow-up of its re-evaluation as food additive for uses in foods for all population groups, 2024. efsa.europa.eu
- 4PubMed. Re-evaluation of guar gum (E 412) as a food additive in foods for infants below 16 weeks of age and follow-up of its re-evaluation as food additive for uses in foods for all population groups, 2024. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5FSSAI. Food Safety and Standards (Infant Foods) Regulations — Version II (04.01.2024), 2024. fssai.gov.in
- 6EFSA. Re-evaluation of guar gum (E 412) as a food additive, 2017.
