Food Additives: Acacia Gum

What it is:

Thickening agent; Stabilizer: Used in beverages, ice cream, frozen pudding, salad dressing, dough, cottage cheese, candy, drink mixes.

What we know:

Natural gums are polysaccharides of natural origin, capable of causing a large viscosity increase in solution, even at small concentrations. In the food industry they are used as thickening agents, gelling agents, emulsifiers and stabilizers. Gums are derived from natural sources (bushes, trees, seaweed, bacteria) and are not absorbed by the body. Natural gums are generally recognized as a safe additive by the FDA when used in accordance good manufacturing practices (FDA regulation 21CFR184.1115). Maximum usage in food products are given by the FDA as follows: 0.8% in baked goods, 2.0% in confections and frostings, 1.2% in soft candies, and 0.25% in all other food categories.

Other Names:

Agar; Alginic acid; Beta-glucan; Carrageenan; Carob Bean Gum; Chicle gum; Dammar gum; Furcelleran gum; Gellan gum; Glucomannan; Guar gum; Gum arabic; Gum ghatti; Gum tragacanth; Karaya gum; Locust bean gum; Mastic gum; Sodium alginate; Spruce gum; Tara gum; Xanthan gum Source: The Center For Science in the Public Interest FDA For more information about food additives, visit the LABELWATCH ingredient glossary at www.labelwatch.com. Here's to your health!