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E 401Thickeners, Stabilisers & Emulsifiers

Sodium alginate

Characteristics

Additive NameSodium alginate
E No.E 401
TypeIndividual Substance
In plain language

A natural thickener and stabiliser extracted from brown seaweed. It helps give creams, sauces, and processed foods a smooth, consistent texture — and keeps ingredients from separating. Also used in some meat preparations and baby foods. Generally considered safe by EFSA and FDA. It passes through the digestive system largely unabsorbed, acting similarly to dietary fibre. No significant health concerns at levels used in food.

Conditions of Use

This additive is authorised to be used in the following 6 food categories:

1.6.1unflavoured pasteurised cream (excluding reduced fat creams)
Quantum satis (no max)
4.1.2peeled cut and shredded fruit and vegetables
Maximum Level = 2400
only prepacked refrigerated unproccessed fruit and vegetables ready for consumption, to be sold to the final consumer
Footnote 82: May only be used in combination with E 302 as glazing agents and with a maximum level of 800 mg/kg of E 302 in the final food
8.2Meat preparations as defined by Regulation (EC) No 853/2004
Quantum satis (no max)
only preparations in which ingredients have been injected; meat preparations composed of meat parts that have been handled differently: minced, sliced or processed and that are combined together. Except bifteki, soutzoukaki, kebap gyros and souvlaki
13.1.3Processed cereal-based foods and baby foods as defined by Regulation (EU) No 609/2013
Maximum Level = 500 mg/kg
only desserts and puddings
Footnote 23: E 400, E 401, E 402 and E 404 are authorised individually or in combination
Maximum Level = 1000 mg/kg
from four months onwards in special food products with adapted composition, required for metabolic disorders and for general tube-feeding
Maximum Level = 1000 mg/kg
from four months onwards in special food products with adapted composition, required for metabolic disorders and for general tube-feeding

Source

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E 401 - Sodium alginate | E-Number Information