日本語
Food additive databasethickener / stabilizerChecked 2026-10-02

Karaya Gum カラヤガム

Existing food additivePermitted in the EU (E416)
Purpose
thickener / stabilizer
On the label
“増粘剤（カラヤガム）” (thickener (karaya gum)), “安定剤（カラヤ）” (stabilizer (karaya)), “ゲル化剤（カラヤ）” (gelling agent (karaya)), “増粘多糖類” (thickening polysaccharides)
Name in the List of Existing Food Additives
カラヤガム (No. 67)
Source and production
Obtained from the exudate of karaya (Sterculia urens) or related plants of the same genus, or of Cochlospermum religiosum or related plants of the same genus; the main component is a polysaccharide (definition in the specifications and standards).

In Japan

  • A polysaccharide obtained from the exudate of karaya or Cochlospermum religiosum, used as a thickener/stabilizer. Its short name is “カラヤ” (karaya). There are no standards for use.
  • When used as a thickener, stabilizer, or gelling agent, the purpose name must be written alongside. When two or more thickener/stabilizer polysaccharides are used together, they can be grouped as “増粘多糖類” (thickening polysaccharides); because that name contains “増粘” (thickening), the purpose name can be omitted.

Japan's standards for use

There are no standards for use that limit which foods or how much (the general standards for all additives still apply).

This is a summary of the standards for use. See the source list for the exact conditions.

In the EU

  • It is on the EU list of food additives (Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II) as E416.

When it is labeled under a shared name

Karaya Gum may be declared on the label in the same way as “増粘剤・安定剤・ゲル化剤”. See Thickener / stabilizer / gelling agent for details.

Sources

Checked 2026-10-02. Rules and evaluations change over time. This page is a translation of our Japanese page; if they differ, the Japanese page is the reference.

This page lists facts stated in laws and in evaluations by public bodies; it is not a safety verdict. Additives used in Japan are approved by the government, which sets the foods and amounts they can be used in. The ADI is a guide to the amount that is considered safe to take every day over a lifetime.

Other substances used as thickener / stabilizer

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