Calcium alginate (E404)
- Food Fine
What is Calcium alginate (E404)?
Calcium alginate (E404) is a gel-forming agent from brown seaweed, used in fillings, shaped foods and desserts. It acts like fibre, and normal amounts are not a concern. It's fine; very large amounts can cause gas, bloating or changes in your stools.
What is Yasno’s verdict on Calcium alginate?
Yasno’s verdict on Calcium alginate: Fine. No meaningful concern at normal amounts.
Is Calcium alginate allowed in the EU?
EU status of Calcium 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-3131, European Commission (DG SANTE), 2025
- Assessment of alginic acid and its salts, European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), 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.