Sodium alginate (E401)
- Food Fine
What is Sodium alginate (E401)?
Sodium alginate (E401) is a thickener made from brown seaweed, used in sauces, ice cream and desserts. It acts like fibre and is very low in risk at food levels. It's fine; don't give young children firm, one-bite jelly cups, which can be a choking hazard.
What is Yasno’s verdict on Sodium alginate?
Yasno’s verdict on Sodium alginate: Fine. No meaningful concern at normal amounts.
Is Sodium alginate allowed in the EU?
EU status of Sodium alginate: Permitted as a food additive. Conditions and limits come from the regulation cited below. Yasno summarises them and does not replace the legal text.
| Where | EU | US |
|---|---|---|
| Food | Permitted as a food additive | Not recorded |
Sources
- EU Food Additives Register — POL-FAD-IMPORT-3128, European Commission (DG SANTE), 2025
- Re-evaluation of alginic acid and its sodium, potassium, ammonium and calcium salts (E 400–E 404) as food additives, European Food Safety Authority, 2017
Always check the physical label. Yasno describes evidence and regulatory status. It never says a product is free of an allergen or safe for you, and it is not medical advice.
Yasno reads the whole label from a photo and explains every ingredient like this. It is coming soon to the App Store.