E407: Nutrition, Pros & Cons
E407, also known as carrageenan, is a natural food additive extracted from red seaweeds. It is widely used as a thickener, stabilizer, and gelling agent in processed foods, dairy products, and plant-based milks.
Pros
- Approved as a safe food additive and stabilizer by food safety authorities, including FSSAI, to improve texture and shelf-life in various food categories. [FSSAI]
Cons
- Some scientific literature suggests that dietary carrageenan may trigger gastrointestinal distress or mild mucosal inflammation in sensitive individuals. [PubMed]
Key nutrients
- Soluble Dietary Fibre — Derived from seaweed as a polysaccharide, though consumed in negligible amounts as a food additive.