Alginic Acid(E400)
Level 2 — Generally safeIn Winter's Dictionary
Alginic Acid is a stabilizer — Stabilizer in ice cream, frozen custard, ice milk, fruit, sherbet, beverages, icings, cheeses, salad dressings; defoaming additive
What it does
Stabilizer in ice cream, frozen custard, ice milk, fruit, sherbet, beverages, icings, cheeses, salad dressings; defoaming additive
Where you'll see it
Ice cream, frozen custard, ice milk, sherbet, water ices, beverages, icings, cheeses, cheese spreads, salad dressings
What the research says
JECFA: 90-day study in rats showed 15% alginate in diet resulted in enlarged distended heavy lower intestine, bumpy urinary bladder, and calcium deposits in renal pelvis. Slight decrease in growth. Laxative effect at high intake.
Regulatory status
- US FDA: ASP
- EU: approved
- Notes: GRAS
Sources
- A Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives (Winter): Capable of absorbing two hundred to three hundred times its weight of water and salts