What is E440?
Plant-derived carbohydrate used as a gelling, thickening and stabilising agent. Goodnessly rates E440 Safe, while food-category permissions and the relevant regulator conditions still apply.
Plant-derived carbohydrate used as a gelling, thickening and stabilising agent. Check the food category, amount and full formulation rather than judging one ingredient in isolation.
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Read the FAQ →
What is Pectin?
Pectin is plant-derived carbohydrate used as a gelling, thickening and stabilising agent. Its function depends on the formulation and the conditions attached to the permitted use.
What's it used for?
- Supporting the stated technical function
- Helping maintain the intended texture or stability
- Contributing to a consistent formulation
- Serving a specified food or nutrient purpose
Where you'll find E440 on the shelf
You may see E440 in packaged foods where its technical function is useful and the food category permits it.
Is E440 permitted? What the regulators say
Pectin 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 440 for specified food uses in the Food Standards Code. [FSANZ source] |
| EU European Union (EUR-Lex) | Authorised with conditions | The consolidated Union list includes E440 for specified categories and conditions. [EUR-Lex source] |
| US United States (FDA) | Permitted with conditions | FDA sources identify pectin for specified food uses: 21 CFR 173.385 and 184.1588. [FDA source] |
Goodnessly rates E440 Safe within its rating system. The rating does not remove the need to consider the product category, amount or full formulation.
- The current consolidated EU Union list was checked for the listed identity and conditions of use.
- The current FDA food-substance and cited regulation records were checked for the listed identity and intended technical use.
- 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 E440 Safe as a practical prompt to understand the ingredient, the product and the overall formulation.
How to spot it on a label
Look for:
- Pectin
- 440
- E440
- Additive class (440)
Ingredient labels may use the name, the number, or the additive class followed by the number.
Related additives
Frequently asked questions
What is E440?
E440 is Pectin, plant-derived carbohydrate used as a gelling, thickening and stabilising agent.
Is E440 permitted?
E440 is listed with conditions in Australia/New Zealand and the EU. FDA lists pectin for specified food uses.
What should I know about pectin?
Use depends on the food category, amount, identity and the applicable regulator conditions; a listing is not a blanket permission for every food.
How does Goodnessly rate E440?
Goodnessly rates E440 (Pectin) 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.
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