What is E416?
Plant-derived gum used as a thickener, stabiliser and emulsifier in specified food applications. Goodnessly rates E416 Safe, while food-category permissions and regulator conditions still apply.
Plant-derived gum used as a thickener, stabiliser and emulsifier in specified food applications. Check the food category, amount and full formulation rather than judging one ingredient in isolation.
Download our app to check additives in everyday foods · Eco score: Coming Soon
Read the FAQ →
What is Karaya gum?
Karaya gum is Plant-derived gum used as a thickener, stabiliser and emulsifier in specified food applications. Its function depends on the formulation and the conditions attached to the permitted use.
What's it used for?
- Helping thicken or stabilise a formulation
- Supporting texture in specified foods
- Acting as a plant-derived hydrocolloid
- Contributing to a consistent food structure
Where you'll find E416 on the shelf
You may see E416 in packaged foods where its technical function is useful and the food category permits it.
Is E416 permitted? What the regulators say
Karaya gum is listed in the checked AU/NZ and EU frameworks with conditions. Permission is conditional: category, level, identity and specifications matter.
| Region | Status | What this means |
|---|---|---|
| AU/NZ Australia & New Zealand (FSANZ) | Permitted with conditions | FSANZ lists 416 for specified food uses in the Food Standards Code. [FSANZ source] |
| EU European Union (EUR-Lex) | Authorised with conditions | The consolidated Union list includes E416 for specified categories and conditions. [EUR-Lex source] |
| US United States (FDA) | Permitted with conditions | 21 CFR 184.1349 identifies karaya gum for specified food uses. [FDA source] |
Goodnessly rates E416 Safe within its rating system. The rating does not remove the need to consider the product category, amount or full formulation.
- EFSA published the re-evaluation of karaya gum in 2016. The current EU list and the relevant US regulation were checked for identity and conditions of use.
- EFSA’s 2016 re-evaluation concluded that no numerical ADI was needed and withdrew the previous SCF value of 12.5 mg/kg body weight/day. The opinion reported no safety concern at refined exposure levels; it also discussed an adult exposure reference of 7,000 mg/person/day for abdominal discomfort, which is not an ADI.
- Regulatory permissions can change; confirm the primary source when a product, recipe or use is unusual.
This section is checked periodically rather than continuously — confirm the current primary source before relying on a regulatory detail.
Who might want to limit or avoid it
- People comparing additive functions across products
- People checking the frequency of this ingredient in their usual foods
- People who want to consider the whole formulation and serving pattern
Goodnessly rates E416 Safe as a practical prompt to understand the ingredient, the product and the overall formulation.
How to spot it on a label
Look for:
- Karaya gum
- 416
- E416
- Additive class (416)
Ingredient labels may use the name, the number, or the additive class followed by the number.
Related additives
Frequently asked questions
What is E416?
E416 is Karaya gum, Plant-derived gum used as a thickener, stabiliser and emulsifier in specified food applications.
Is E416 permitted?
E416 is listed with conditions in Australia/New Zealand and the EU. FDA lists it for specified food uses.
What should I know about karaya gum?
EFSA’s 2016 re-evaluation concluded that no numerical ADI was needed and withdrew the previous SCF value of 12.5 mg/kg body weight/day. The opinion reported no safety concern at refined exposure levels; it also discussed an adult exposure reference of 7,000 mg/person/day for abdominal discomfort, which is not an ADI.
How does Goodnessly rate E416?
Goodnessly rates E416 (Karaya gum) as Safe within its rating system.
Don't decode labels by hand
Scan any product with the Goodnessly app to see its full additive breakdown and understand the label at a glance.
Download our app to check additives in everyday foods · Eco score: Coming Soon