Is carrageenan harmful?
Approved everywhere, but questions remain about gut inflammation.
Also listed as: E407, E407a (processed Eucheuma seaweed), Irish moss extract, INS 407
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What is Carrageenan?
Carrageenan is a thickener extracted from red seaweed. It has been used for centuries in Irish and Asian cooking and today keeps plant milks smooth, ice cream creamy and deli meats moist.
Why manufacturers use it
It thickens, gels and stops ingredients from separating, using very small amounts. It's also a plant-based alternative to gelatin.
Where you'll find it
- Almond, oat and soy milks
- Ice cream
- Deli meats
- Cottage cheese and creamers
- Vegan desserts
Potential health concerns
- Some lab and animal studies link carrageenan to gut inflammation.
- A small 2017 human trial suggested people with ulcerative colitis relapsed more often when taking it.
- Degraded carrageenan (poligeenan) causes harm in animals, but it is not permitted in food.
How it works in the body
Food-grade carrageenan is a large molecule that is mostly not absorbed and passes through the gut. Concern centers on whether it can irritate the gut lining or change gut bacteria in sensitive people.
How much is too much
EFSA set a temporary acceptable daily intake of 75 mg per kg of body weight. Typical intakes are well below that, though infants on formula can be higher.
What scientific studies indicate
Major regulators find no clear harm at normal intakes for healthy people. Small studies and animal work keep the question open for people with inflammatory bowel disease, who may choose to avoid it.
Regulatory status by country
United States
Permitted (GRAS and approved food additive), including in organic foods.
European Union
Permitted as E407/E407a; not allowed in formula for very young infants.
Canada
Permitted.
Australia / NZ
Permitted (code 407).
Why it's rated this color
- Permitted in the US, EU, Canada and Australia/NZ.
- EFSA's 2018 review kept it legal but asked for more data and set only a temporary safe limit.
- Evidence in healthy people is reassuring; evidence for people with gut conditions is limited.
Sources and original research
- Re-evaluation of carrageenan (E 407) and processed Eucheuma seaweed (E 407a) — EFSA Journal, 2018
- A randomized trial of the effects of the no-carrageenan diet on ulcerative colitis disease activity — Nutrition and Healthy Aging (Bhattacharyya et al.), 2017
- Food Additive Status List — U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Last reviewed November 2026. Educational information, not medical advice.
Is Carrageenan in your food?
Scan your label and get a verdict for every ingredient in seconds.