Gellan gum
Function: Stabiliser
E418 is the European food-additive number for Gellan gum, a stabiliser — keeps a food's physical state uniform and stops it separating. GELLAN GUM is a water-soluble anionic polysaccharide produced by the bacterium Sphingomonas elodea.
What is E418 used for?
Gellan gum (E418) is a stabiliser — keeps a food's physical state uniform and stops it separating. It is added during food production for a technological purpose rather than for nutrition.
Is E418 safe or restricted?
E418 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 E418
- What is E418?
- E418 is the E-number for Gellan gum, a stabiliser — keeps a food's physical state uniform and stops it separating. GELLAN GUM is a water-soluble anionic polysaccharide produced by the bacterium Sphingomonas elodea.
- What is E418 used for?
- Gellan gum (E418) is a stabiliser — keeps a food's physical state uniform and stops it separating. Manufacturers add it during processing rather than for nutrition. The Forkin app shows which products in your scan history actually contain it.
- Is E418 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 E418 safe, and is it banned anywhere?
- E418 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 E418 — acceptable daily intake (ADI), restrictions by country, vegan/vegetarian status, alternative names, and which products in your scan history contain it.