Microcrystalline Cellulose

About

What it is and where it shows up.

Microcrystalline cellulose is a purified, partially depolymerised cellulose derived primarily from wood pulp or cotton linters, used in food as a texturiser, anti-caking agent, fat substitute, emulsifier, extender, and bulking agent. It is not digested or absorbed by the human body and is excreted intact in the faeces.

Safety summary

The regulatory and scientific consensus.

Both JECFA/WHO and EFSA have established an ADI of 'not specified' for microcrystalline cellulose owing to its very low toxicity and non-absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. No genotoxic or carcinogenic properties have been detected, and human studies demonstrate that oral ingestion of up to 6,000 mg/person per day for 8 months was well tolerated. As a precautionary measure, microcrystalline cellulose should not be used in foods specially prepared for infants and young children due to concerns about particle persorption.

Regulatory landscape

What food-safety regulators have decided.

Jurisdiction	Status	Note
EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union)	Approved	Authorised at quantum satis (QS) in almost all food categories under Annex II of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008. ADI 'not specified' — EFSA 2018 re-evaluation confirmed no need for a numerical ADI. Precautionary restriction: MCC of any particle size should not be used in foods specially prepared for infants and young children; particle size must be >5 μm with a 10% tolerance by number of particles.source
FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States)	Approved	Listed as a permitted food additive under 21 CFR 172.868 and recognised as an unlisted GRAS substance on the FDA Food Additive Status List. No numerical ADI established; JECFA ADI 'not specified' is referenced.source

Who should approach with care

Whose guidance would steer them away.

Infants — The EU Scientific Committee on Food (SCF, 1995), endorsed by the EFSA ANS Panel in its 2018 re-evaluation, specifically advised that microcrystalline cellulose of any particle size should not be used in foods specially prepared for infants and young children due to potential persorption risk.

Ibs — As an insoluble fibre-like substance partially fermented by intestinal flora, high dietary intake of MCC may exacerbate bloating or gastrointestinal discomfort in individuals with irritable bowel syndrome, though direct clinical evidence is limited.

Research citations

The sources behind this verdict.

1FDA. 21 CFR 172.868 — Microcrystalline Cellulose (Code of Federal Regulations Title 21). accessdata.fda.gov
2EFSA. Re-evaluation of celluloses E 460(i), E 460(ii), E 461, E 462, E 463, E 464, E 465, E 466, E 468 and E 469 as food additives, 2018. efsa.europa.eu
3PubMed. Re-evaluation of celluloses E 460(i), E 460(ii), E 461, E 462, E 463, E 464, E 465, E 466, E 468 and E 469 as food additives, 2018. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
4EFSA. Safety of the proposed amendment of the specifications for microcrystalline cellulose (E 460(i)) as a food additive, 2017. efsa.europa.eu
5PubMed. Safety of the proposed amendment of the specifications for microcrystalline cellulose (E 460(i)) as a food additive, 2017. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
6WHO. JECFA Monograph — Microcrystalline Cellulose, Combined Compendium of Food Additive Specifications (1990, updated 1999), 1990.

Independently researched6 citations