Cellulose Gum: What Is It and Is It Safe?
Arin Editorial · how this is made
You've seen 'cellulose gum' on a hand cream or yogurt container. This substance is produced by chemically modifying cellulose. What is said about this additive, which also appears as E 466 in food, and what is being debated?
What is this substance and how is it made?
Cellulose gum is synthesized by the alkali-catalyzed reaction of cellulose with chloroacetic acid. The product is often used in its sodium salt form, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose. It appears as E 466 on food labels and as cellulose gum on cosmetic labels. Regulatory assessments show that this substance is used in food and cosmetics.
What do regulators say?
EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) concluded that all cellulose derivatives do not raise safety concerns at the reported uses and use levels as food additives. It also saw no need to set a numerical acceptable daily intake (ADI). CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) states that cellulose gum is safe in cosmetics as long as the concentration does not exceed 20%. This means it cannot make up more than one fifth of a formulation.
What do the controversies mean?
Recent animal studies suggest that CMC may alter the gut flora, a condition called dysbiosis. The EPA's compiled data also includes positive results in genetic damage tests. These data can be read as a hazard signal, but drawing a risk conclusion without considering dose, species, and route of exposure is misleading. Scientists therefore distinguish between hazard and risk. Regulatory decisions take this distinction into account.
Approved as E 466 in food, cellulose gum is considered safe up to 20% in cosmetics by CIR.
Don't panic when you see it on a label. The same substance appears as E 466 in food and as cellulose gum in cosmetics. This additive is considered safe within the limits set by regulators. If it appears near the top of the ingredient list, it indicates a higher amount, but that alone doesn't mean risk. If you have sensitivities, you may try using the product less. Also, avoiding excessive consumption of processed foods is already recommended for general health.
Sources
- EFSA (European Food Safety Authority)
- CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) - cir-safety.org/ingredient/cellulose-gum
- EPA ToxValDB