Extracted from red seaweed; thickens dairy, plant drinks and desserts. Debated, with ongoing research.
Job
Gels and stabilizes, keeping proteins suspended.
The debate
Some lab and animal studies raise questions about gut inflammation; food-grade carrageenan is distinct from degraded poligeenan. EFSA kept it authorized but asked for more data.
Evidence & sources
EFSA found no adverse effects at reported use levels but considered its temporary ADI of 75 mg/kg bw/day provisional pending more data. Evidence: limited. Known: EFSA re-evaluation. Unknown: Effects in people with inflammatory bowel conditions. Source: European Food Safety Authority, Re-evaluation of carrageenan (E 407) and processed Eucheuma seaweed (E 407a) (2018).