Methyl cellulose (E461)
- Food Fine
What is Methyl cellulose (E461)?
Methyl cellulose (E461) is a plant fibre that thickens when heated, used in plant-based burgers, baked goods and sauces. Very little is absorbed, and normal amounts are not a concern. It's fine; large doses can loosen stools or, less often, cause constipation.
What is Yasno’s verdict on Methyl cellulose?
Yasno’s verdict on Methyl cellulose: Fine. No meaningful concern at normal amounts.
Is Methyl cellulose allowed in the EU?
EU status of Methyl cellulose: 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-3166, European Commission (DG SANTE), 2011
- EFSA’s 2018 re-evaluation of methyl cellulose and related celluloses, European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), 2018
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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