Agar-Agar(E406)
Level 2 — Generally safeIn Winter's Dictionary
Agar-Agar is a stabilizer — Stabilizer and thickener; gelatin substitute
Also: Gelidium, Japanese Isinglass
What it does
Stabilizer and thickener; gelatin substitute
Where you'll see it
Beverages, ice cream, ices, frozen custard, sherbet, meringue, baked goods, jelly, frozen candied sweet potatoes, icings, confections, artificially sweetened jellies/preserves (up to 1.2% in candy, 0.25% in frozen desserts)
What the research says
Aside from causing an occasional allergic reaction, is nontoxic. Mildly toxic by ingestion.
Regulatory status
- US FDA: GRAS
- EU: approved
- Notes: ASP
Sources
- A Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives (Winter): transparent, odorless, and tasteless and is obtained from various seaweed