Comparing E414 - Acacia gum vs E1204 - Pullulan

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Overview

E414 - Acacia gum

E414, also called acacia gum or gum arabic, is a natural gum tapped from acacia trees. It helps keep flavor oils mixed in drinks, smooths candy coatings, and adds body as a stabilizer and thickener. It is widely used in both the U.S. and the EU and is considered safe when used as intended. [^2][^3]

E1204 - Pullulan

Pullulan (E1204) is a natural polysaccharide made by fermentation. In food, it is used mainly as a film-former and thickener, creating clear, flexible coatings and quick-dissolving sheets. You’ll most often see it in edible glazes, confectionery, and breath-freshening strips.

Synonyms

E414

Acacia gum

gum arabic

gum acacia

arabic gum

Gum arabic

E-414

E 414

INS414

INS 414

E1204

Pullulan

Functions

carrier emulsifier stabilizer thickener

glazing agent stabilizer thickener

Origins

Plant

Microbiological

Products

Found in 12,914 products

Found in 17 products

Search rank & volume

#10119.4K / mo🇺🇸U.S.

#2571.6K / mo🇺🇸U.S.

Awareness score

×0.22

under-aware

×10.86

over-aware

Search volume over time

Interest over time for 9 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

Interest over time for 2 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

Popular questions

Is gum arabic bad for you?
No—gum arabic (E414) is considered safe at permitted levels; it is GRAS in the U.S. and EFSA found no safety concern at current uses. Large amounts may cause gas or bloating, and allergic reactions are rare.
Is acacia gum bad for you?
No—acacia gum (gum arabic, E414) is generally safe; JECFA set an ADI 'not specified,' indicating very low toxicity. Excessive intake can cause mild digestive discomfort.
Is gum arabic vegan?
Yes—it's a plant-derived sap from acacia trees with no animal-derived ingredients, so it is considered vegan.
Is gum arabic gluten free?
Yes—it's naturally gluten-free; pure gum arabic contains no wheat, barley, or rye, though manufacturing cross-contamination is possible.
What is gum arabic used for?
It functions as an emulsifier, stabilizer, thickener, and carrier—commonly used in soft-drink flavor emulsions, confectionery (gummies, glazes), bakery icings, and for encapsulating flavors.