Comparing E440 - Pectins vs E407 - Carrageenan

Synonyms
E440
Pectins
pectin
E407
Carrageenan
e407 stabilizer
Origins
Products

Found in 14,322 products

Found in 18,822 products

Search rank & volume
#5556.5K / mo🇺🇸U.S.
#3972.2K / mo🇺🇸U.S.
Awareness score

×0.58
under-aware

×0.56
under-aware

Search volume over time

Interest over time for 3 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

Interest over time for 3 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

Popular questions
  1. What is fruit pectin?

    Fruit pectin is a plant-derived soluble fiber (a polysaccharide) from fruit cell walls, extracted mainly from citrus peels or apples and used as a natural gelling agent for jams and jellies.

  2. Is pectin bad for you?

    No—pectin is generally recognized as safe and is a soluble dietary fiber; in large amounts it may cause gas or bloating and can reduce absorption of some medicines if taken at the same time.

  3. What is pectin made of?

    Pectin is a complex carbohydrate polymer rich in galacturonic acid units, extracted from plant cell walls—commercially most often from citrus peels and apple pomace.

  4. Is pectin vegan?

    Yes; pectin is plant-derived and considered vegan, as it’s extracted from fruit byproducts.

  5. What is pectin used for?

    It’s used as a gelling agent in jams and jellies and as a thickener/stabilizer in desserts, confectionery, fruit preparations, and some juices or milk drinks, and it also contributes dietary fiber.

  1. Is carrageenan bad for you?

    For most people, food‑grade carrageenan (E407) is considered safe at typical food levels by regulators like EFSA and the FDA; a small number may experience digestive discomfort. Concerns often stem from studies using degraded carrageenan (poligeenan), which is not used in foods.

  2. Carrageenan what is it?

    Carrageenan (E407) is a family of sulfated polysaccharides extracted from red seaweeds, used as a gelling, thickening, and stabilizing agent in foods.

  3. Does carrageenan cause cancer?

    There is no convincing evidence that food‑grade carrageenan causes cancer; studies suggesting risks typically used degraded carrageenan (poligeenan), which is not permitted in foods. Authorities such as EFSA and JECFA consider E407 safe at current use levels.

  4. What is carrageenan used for?

    It thickens and stabilizes foods, helping suspend particles and improve texture in products like chocolate milk, dairy and plant‑based milks, ice cream, yogurt, desserts, and processed meats.

  5. Is carrageenan bad for dogs?

    Food‑grade carrageenan is permitted in pet foods as a stabilizer and is generally regarded as safe at typical levels, though some dogs with sensitive digestion may not tolerate it well. If your dog shows GI upset, choose carrageenan‑free products and consult your veterinarian.