Agar
E406
E406, INS 406, agar, agar-agar, agar agar
What it is
A seaweed-derived polysaccharide used as a gelling, thickening and stabilising food additive, identified in the EU as E406.
Why BOTIA flags it
BOTIA flags E406 because labels may use agar, agar-agar or the E-number. The declaration identifies the texturising ingredient but not its amount or grade.
BOTIA CAN
- Detect E406, agar and agar-agar when declared.
- Trigger texture and E-number information for the ingredient.
BOTIA CANNOT
- Determine concentration, gel strength or raw-material species from the ingredient list.
- Treat the presence of an authorised texturiser as a risk signal by itself.