Alginic acid
Function: Carrier
E400 is the European food-additive number for Alginic acid, a carrier — used to dissolve, dilute or otherwise carry another additive. Alginic acid (E400) is a carrier used as a food additive.
What is E400 used for?
Alginic acid (E400) is a carrier — used to dissolve, dilute or otherwise carry another additive. It is added during food production for a technological purpose rather than for nutrition.
Is E400 safe or restricted?
E400 is an approved food additive in the EU and currently carries no special regulatory restrictions in the EU additive register. Forkin classifies it as “No regulatory flags” and does not make health claims. See the methodology for how regulatory levels are assigned.
Frequently asked questions about E400
- What is E400?
- E400 is the E-number for Alginic acid, a carrier — used to dissolve, dilute or otherwise carry another additive. Alginic acid (E400) is a carrier used as a food additive.
- What is E400 used for?
- Alginic acid (E400) is a carrier — used to dissolve, dilute or otherwise carry another additive. Manufacturers add it during processing rather than for nutrition. The Forkin app shows which products in your scan history actually contain it.
- Is E400 vegan or vegetarian?
- It depends on the source. Many additives can be produced from plant, mineral, or animal-derived raw materials, and the ingredient list rarely states which was used. The Forkin app shows the verified vegan and vegetarian status per product where it's known, instead of a blanket guess.
- Is E400 safe, and is it banned anywhere?
- E400 is an approved food additive in the EU and currently carries no special regulatory restrictions in the EU additive register. Forkin classifies it as "No regulatory flags" and does not make health claims — see the methodology page for how regulatory levels are assigned, and the Forkin app for the full profile, including acceptable daily intake (ADI) and restrictions by country.
See the full profile in Forkin
The Forkin app surfaces the full regulatory profile of E400 — acceptable daily intake (ADI), restrictions by country, vegan/vegetarian status, alternative names, and which products in your scan history contain it.