Pectin
Function: Emulsifier
E440A is the European food-additive number for Pectin, an emulsifier — helps ingredients that normally separate, like oil and water, stay mixed. Pectin (E440a) is an emulsifier used as a food additive.
What is E440A used for?
Pectin (E440A) is an emulsifier — helps ingredients that normally separate, like oil and water, stay mixed. It is added during food production for a technological purpose rather than for nutrition.
Is E440A safe or restricted?
E440A 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 E440A
- What is E440A?
- E440A is the E-number for Pectin, an emulsifier — helps ingredients that normally separate, like oil and water, stay mixed. Pectin (E440a) is an emulsifier used as a food additive.
- What is E440A used for?
- Pectin (E440A) is an emulsifier — helps ingredients that normally separate, like oil and water, stay mixed. Manufacturers add it during processing rather than for nutrition. The Forkin app shows which products in your scan history actually contain it.
- Is E440A 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 E440A safe, and is it banned anywhere?
- E440A 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 E440A — acceptable daily intake (ADI), restrictions by country, vegan/vegetarian status, alternative names, and which products in your scan history contain it.