YenzoWhat is E425 (konjac)?
Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT lists konjac flour (INS 425) with the functions carrier, emulsifier, gelling agent, glazing agent, humectant, stabilizer and thickener.
E425Konjac
E425 is konjac, listed in Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT as konjac flour. It is listed with many functions, among them thickener, gelling agent and stabilizer.
Did you know? EFSA's opinion quotes the SCF that konjac has a long history as a traditional food in Far East countries, and JECFA on the long history of use of konjac as a food in China and Japan.
- Code
- E425 · INS 425
- Group
- Thickener, Gelling agent, 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 E425 appears on labels
IngredientsIllustrative example
Wheat flour, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, thickener (425), dried onion and garlic, pepper, natural colour (160a).
thickener (425)thickener 425E425INS 425On Vietnamese labels: Bột konjac
Konjac in food
Flavoured fermented milk productsFlavoured drinksBread and rollsCoffee, tea, herbal infusionsMeat products
Questions about konjac
Is konjac harmful?
In 2017, re-evaluating konjac (E 425), comprising konjac gum (E 425 i) and konjac glucomannan (E 425 ii), EFSA concluded that there is no need for a numerical ADI and no safety concern for the general population under the current conditions of use of up to 10 g/kg of food. EFSA agreed with the EU Scientific Committee on Food (SCF) that use at up to 10 g/kg is acceptable provided total intake from all sources stays below 3 g a day. After a daily dose of 3,000 mg for 12 weeks, several adults experienced abdominal discomfort, including diarrhoea or constipation.
Is konjac flour permitted in Vietnam?
Yes. Konjac flour (INS 425) 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 425?
EFSA (2017) noted fatal accidents, mainly in children, from asphyxiation after swallowing jelly mini-cup confectionery containing E 425. Because of the choking hazard, the EU prohibited the use of E 425 in jelly confectionery by Directive 2003/52/EC. If you have a particular health condition, ask a doctor.
Other thickeners
E418Gellan gumlowE420Sorbitolvery lowE422Glycerolvery lowE426Soybean hemicelluloselowE427Cassia gumlowE428Gelatinevery low
See all thickeners →Updated 21 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:e425)
- Thông tư 24/2019/TT-BYT (văn bản hợp nhất 09/VBHN-BYT), Phụ lục 1
- EFSA Journal (2017). Re-evaluation of konjac gum (E 425 i) and konjac glucomannan (E 425 ii) as food additives: fatal accidents with jelly mini-cups