E403 - Ammonium alginate

Synonyms: E403Ammonium alginate

Search interest:#411110 / moin U.S.🇺🇸data from

Function:

gelling agentstabilizerthickener

Origin:

Plant

Products: Found in 35 products

Awareness:
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Ammonium alginate (E403) is a plant-based thickener and stabiliser made from brown seaweed. It helps foods and drinks feel smooth, hold together, and stay mixed without separating. You’ll find it in items like dairy desserts, sauces, and drinks with pulp or foam.

At a glance

  • What it is: The ammonium salt of alginic acid, a natural gum from brown seaweed.
  • What it does: Thickens, stabilises, and helps emulsify foods; can gel in the presence of calcium.
  • Common in: Drinks, desserts, sauces, bakery fillings, and some plant-based or reduced-fat products.
  • Also known as: E403.
  • Dietary notes: Seaweed-derived and typically suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets.

Why is Ammonium alginate added to food?

Food makers use ammonium alginate to control thickness, keep ingredients from separating, and improve texture and mouthfeel. It also works well in systems that contain calcium (like dairy), where it can form soft gels that help suspended pieces, foams, or pulps stay evenly distributed.1

What foods contain Ammonium alginate?

You may see E403 in:

  • Fruit drinks and juices with pulp
  • Chocolate milk, milkshakes, and dairy or plant-based desserts
  • Sauces, dressings, and dips
  • Pie fillings, glazes, and bakery creams
  • Frozen treats and ice creams to improve body and reduce ice crystals
  • Reformed or shaped foods where a gentle gel helps hold form

Look for “ammonium alginate” or “E403” on the ingredient list.

What can replace Ammonium alginate?

Depending on the recipe and processing needs, common substitutes include:

Each option behaves a bit differently, so swaps usually need small adjustments.

How is Ammonium alginate made?

Manufacturers extract alginic acid from brown seaweed, purify it, and then neutralise it with ammonium to form ammonium alginate. It is defined in the European Union as the ammonium salt of alginic acid obtained from brown algae, with specific purity and quality criteria set for food use.2

Is Ammonium alginate safe to eat?

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) re-evaluated alginic acid and alginate salts (E400–E404) and found no safety concern at the reported uses and use levels in foods.1 The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) assigned alginic acid and its ammonium, calcium, potassium, and sodium salts an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) “not specified,” indicating low toxicity at levels needed for food technology.3 In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lists ammonium alginate as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) when used in accordance with good manufacturing practice.4

Does Ammonium alginate have any benefits?

Technologically, it helps create a smooth, stable texture and reduces separation in foods and drinks. In the body, alginates are not digested or absorbed to a significant extent and are largely excreted, acting much like dietary fiber.3

Who should avoid Ammonium alginate?

Most people can consume E403 without issues. Very high intakes of alginates may loosen stools in some individuals, so those with sensitive digestion may prefer moderate portions. If an infant product contains alginates, follow healthcare advice before use, especially for very young infants or those on special diets.

Myths & facts

  • Myth: “It’s a synthetic plastic.” Fact: Ammonium alginate comes from brown seaweed.
  • Myth: “It turns food into a hard gel in your stomach.” Fact: It thickens foods but is not absorbed and does not set into a solid mass in the body.
  • Myth: “It’s the same as MSG.” Fact: It is unrelated to glutamates; it’s a seaweed gum used for texture.

Ammonium alginate in branded foods

Labels may list “ammonium alginate” or “E403.” In the EU, the E-number may appear alone; in the U.S., the full name is typically used. To spot it, check the ingredient list on drinks with pulp, dairy or plant-based desserts, sauces, and bakery fillings.

References

Footnotes

  1. Re-evaluation of alginic acid (E 400), sodium alginate (E 401), potassium alginate (E 402), ammonium alginate (E 403) and calcium alginate (E 404) as food additives — EFSA Journal. https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/4779 ↩ ↩2

  2. Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012: Specifications for food additives listed in Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 — EUR-Lex. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2012/231/oj ↩

  3. Alginic acid and its ammonium, calcium, potassium, and sodium salts: Safety evaluation — JECFA (WHO/IPCS). https://inchem.org/documents/jecfa/jecmono/v40je06.htm ↩ ↩2

  4. Food Additive Status List (GRAS/food additive status) — U.S. FDA. https://www.fda.gov/food/food-additives-petitions/food-additive-status-list ↩

Popular Questions

  1. What does e403 mean on att air?

    On a food label, E403 means ammonium alginate—a seaweed-derived thickener and stabiliser used to add viscosity and keep mixtures uniform; it’s unrelated to AT&T Air.

  2. What is e403 error code?

    In food labelling, E403 isn’t an error code—it’s the additive code for ammonium alginate, a plant-derived thickener/stabiliser approved for use under good manufacturing practice.

  3. Gdp e403 what was her first episode ponr?

    E403 refers to the food additive ammonium alginate, not media; it’s a seaweed-derived thickener/stabiliser generally considered safe at typical food-use levels.

  4. Girlsdoporn e403 what other scenes?

    E403 denotes ammonium alginate, a seaweed-derived thickener and stabiliser used in foods, not a reference to videos or scenes.

  5. How do i record on a yamaha keyboard psr e403?

    E403 on a label means ammonium alginate—a seaweed-derived thickener/stabiliser—and has no relation to Yamaha PSR-E403 keyboards.

Top questions that users ask about this topic based on Ahrefs data