Pectins
E440
E440, E440(i), E440(ii), INS 440, pectin, pectins, non-amidated pectin, amidated pectin, amidated pectins
What it is
Pectin is what makes jam set. It is in fruit — mostly in lemon and orange peel, and in what is left of the apple after it has been pressed. That is where it is taken from, purified, and added to yoghurts, drinks, sweets and desserts to thicken them. On the label it is E440.
Why BOTIA flags it
In the French NutriNet-Santé observational cohort of 92,000 adults, higher E440 intake was associated with a higher incidence of premenopausal breast cancer (HR 1.55, 95% CI 1.12-2.14). This association does not establish causation and needs confirmation in further research. No statistically significant association was observed in postmenopausal women in this study. For E440, the finding concerns pectin consumed as a food additive, not pectin naturally present in fruit.
BOTIA CAN
- Detect E440, pectin, pectins and the common amidated/non-amidated subtype names.
- Show the texture and E-number information layers.
BOTIA CANNOT
- Determine the exact pectin subtype or formulation when only 'pectin' is declared.
- Calculate the amount present from ingredient order alone.