Agar (E406)
- Food Fine
What is Agar (E406)?
Agar (E406) is a jelly-forming fibre from red seaweed, used in desserts, sweets and as a vegetarian alternative to gelatine. At food levels it isn't a concern, and like fibre, large amounts can loosen stools. If you take concentrated dry agar as a supplement, drink plenty of water, because it swells.
What is Yasno’s verdict on Agar?
Yasno’s verdict on Agar: Fine. No meaningful concern at normal amounts.
Is Agar allowed in the EU?
EU status of Agar: 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 | Generally Recognised as Safe (GRAS, a US regulatory category) |
What else is it called?
- Gelose
- Ceylon
- Chinese gelatin
- Agar-agar
Sources
- EU Food Additives Register — POL-FAD-IMPORT-3133, European Commission (DG SANTE), 2011
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.
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