E412: Guar Gum
Main role: thickening and stabilization
Also listed as: guaran, guar flour
What is E412 (Guar Gum)?
Guar gum is a galactomannan polysaccharide from the seed endosperm of the guar plant. It builds viscosity in water-based recipes and is commonly combined with other texture ingredients. The commercial gum is different from a whole serving of guar beans.
What does it do in food?
Its main role is thickening and stabilization. Texture ingredients help a recipe control thickness, binding, or separation. Their behavior depends on temperature, acidity, concentration, and other ingredients; two thickeners with similar names may not perform identically.
Food and formulation examples
- Sauces
- Ice-cream formulations
- Gluten-free bakery recipes
These examples describe formulation roles, not a list of unrestricted legal uses. Availability and permitted applications differ by country and food category.
Label names and ingredient questions
Look for E412, E 412, or the ingredient name. Related names and label terms include guaran, guar flour. A family code can cover more than one specified form; check the full declaration when the distinction matters.
EFSA's 2017 assessment found no concern for the general population at evaluated exposures. Specialized infant uses require separate assessment, and large gum intakes can behave differently from small amounts in a mixed food.
Is E412 safe?
EFSA’s 2024 follow-up found the submitted data insufficient to support certain infant and young-child uses. Do not generalize an adult-food assessment to specialized infant foods. EFSA guar gum follow-up (2024).
A label identifies the ingredient but usually not its concentration. Calculating daily intake requires the amount in the food and the quantities eaten.
Authorization and conditions of use
The Great Britain food additive register lists E412 as Guar gum. This is an entry subject to its stated conditions, not unrestricted permission for every food. The record links to the applicable authorization terms. For an EU product, use the European Commission food additive database to check the relevant food category and limits. Other countries may use different names or rules.