About
Pectin is a naturally occurring structural polysaccharide extracted primarily from citrus peels and apple pomace, consisting of partial methyl esters of polygalacturonic acid; it is used in foods as a gelling agent, thickener, stabilizer, and emulsifier in products such as jams, jellies, dairy desserts, and fruit preparations. Its physicochemical properties—viscosity and gel strength—vary with molecular weight and degree of methylation.
Safety summary
For the general population, pectin is considered safe with no numerical ADI required; no adverse effects were observed in chronic rat studies at up to 5,000 mg/kg bw per day, and a human dose of 36 g/day for 6 weeks caused no adverse effects. EFSA (2021) identified a specific concern for infants below 16 weeks of age, as pectin metabolism can generate methanol at maximum permitted levels potentially reaching adverse concentrations in this highly vulnerable group, and recommended a reduction in MPLs for relevant infant food categories. No genotoxicity or allergenic potential has been identified.
Regulatory landscape
| Jurisdiction | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union) | Approved | Authorised under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 (Annexes II and III) as E440i (pectin) and E440ii (amidated pectin); specifications in Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012. ADI 'not specified' for the general population. Use in foods for infants below 16 weeks of age subject to restricted MPLs following the EFSA FAF Panel 2021 opinion due to methanol generation concerns.source |
| FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India) | Approved | Approved as INS 440 (pectins, amidated and non-amidated) under the Food Safety and Standards (Infant Formula and Health Foods for Sick Children) Regulations; maximum permitted level of 5,000 mg singly or in combination with other listed thickeners per 100 g of product in processed cereal-based complementary foods and relevant infant formula categories.source |
| FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States) | Approved | Listed as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) under 21 CFR 184.1588 for use in food at levels consistent with good manufacturing practice (GMP); no numerical upper limit set.source |
Who should approach with care
Research citations
- 1other. Class Names and the International Numbering System for Food Additives (CXG 36-1989, revised). fao.org
- 2EFSA. 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
- 3PubMed. 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. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 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, 2017. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
