Carrageenan
E407
E407, E407a, carrageenan, processed eucheuma seaweed, Irish moss gelose, eucheuman, furcellaran, carragenano, carraghenane
What it is
A family of sulfated polysaccharides extracted from red seaweeds and used to gel, thicken or stabilise foods; E407a is processed Eucheuma seaweed.
Why BOTIA flags it
BOTIA flags E407 and E407a because the label does not reveal their molecular-weight profile. EFSA left its group ADI temporary while seeking better data on low-molecular-weight material and unresolved intestinal inflammatory effects.
BOTIA CAN
- Detect the presence of E407 or E407a and classify it under the texture layer.
- Provide warning details about low molecular weight fractions or processing aids.
BOTIA CANNOT
- Verify the exact level of low molecular weight carrageenan contaminants below 50 kDa.
- Detect trace levels of extraction solvent residues used in its isolation.