E410 - Carob Gum

E410 - Carob Gum

Carob gum is a food additive identified with the code E410 in the international classification of food additives.

E Code: E410

Function: Carob gum is used as a thickening, stabilizing, and emulsifying agent in the food industry. It is often employed to enhance the texture of food products.

Origin: Carob gum is extracted from the seeds of the carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua), a tree native to the Mediterranean basin. The seeds are ground to obtain a gum powder.

Characteristics:

• Carob gum is a beige to light brown powder.
• It is soluble in water.
• It forms viscous gels at high concentrations.

Uses:

• Food Industry: Utilized in a variety of food products such as ice creams, sauces, soups, baked goods, etc., to improve texture and stability.

Safety:

• Carob gum is generally considered safe when used according to appropriate guidelines.
• It is often used as a vegan alternative to other animal-origin thickeners.