YenzoWhat is E418 (gellan gum)?
Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT lists gellan gum (INS 418) with the functions thickener, gelling agent and stabilizer.
E418Gellan gum
E418 is gellan gum. Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT lists it as a thickener, gelling agent and stabilizer.
Did you know? Gellan gum is produced by pure-culture fermentation of a carbohydrate with Pseudomonas elodea (now also named Sphingomonas elodea). According to two business operators who informed EFSA, strain ATCC 31461 is the only strain used in production and is a natural strain, not genetically modified.
- Code
- E418 · INS 418
- Group
- Gelling agent, Thickener, Stabilizer
In Vietnam✓ PermittedOn the list of permitted additives — Circular 24/2019, Appendix 1
Risk level on the Yenzo Scalelow?Based on the Open Food Facts additives taxonomy
How E418 appears on labels
IngredientsIllustrative example
Wheat flour, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, gelling agent (418), dried onion and garlic, pepper, natural colour (160a).
gelling agent (418)gelling agent 418E418INS 418On Vietnamese labels: Gôm gellan
Gellan gum in food
Unflavoured fermented milk productsMeat productsFlavoured fermented milk productsBread and rollsFlavoured drinksSauces
Questions about gellan gum
Is gellan gum harmful?
In 2018, re-evaluating gellan gum (E 418), EFSA concluded that there is no need for a numerical ADI and no safety concern at the refined exposure assessment for the reported uses and use levels. The highest estimated exposure was 72.4 mg/kg body weight per day in toddlers (95th percentile); in humans, repeated oral intake up to 200 mg/kg body weight per day for 3 weeks had no adverse effects.
Is gellan gum permitted in Vietnam?
Yes. Gellan gum (INS 418) is listed in Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, the list of additives permitted in food.
Can children and pregnant women have INS 418?
According to EFSA (2018), gellan gum (E 418) is not authorised in foods for infants and young children (category 13.1 of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008) and may not be used in nutrients intended for such foods. If you have a particular health condition, ask a doctor.
Other gelling agents
E407CarrageenanmoderateE407aProcessed eucheuma seaweedmoderateE417Tara gumlowE425KonjaclowE427Cassia gumlowE428Gelatinevery low
See all gelling agents →Updated 22 October 2026
Sources (3)
- Open Food Facts additives taxonomy (Yenzo's table cites no EFSA opinion for this code). Open Food Facts additives taxonomy, https://github.com/openfoodfacts/openfoodfacts-server/blob/main/taxonomies/additives.txt (entry en:e418)
- Thông tư 24/2019/TT-BYT (văn bản hợp nhất 09/VBHN-BYT), Phụ lục 1
- EFSA Journal (2018). Re-evaluation of gellan gum (E 418) as food additive: use in foods for infants and young children