Thickener · CAS 9002-18-0 · EU E406
Agar-Agar
FDA status: GRAS. EU: Approved. No U.S. state has enacted a specific ban yet.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Agar-Agar is classified GRAS by the FDA, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it independently of federal policy. Its composite safety score is 5 out of 5 (Generally Safe), and the European Union separately classifies it as approved. By tracked product count it ranks #130 of 417.
- #130 of 417 by tracked product prevalence
The verdict
Agar-Agar is classified GRAS by the FDA, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it. By Open Food Facts product count it sits #130 of 417 among additives with tracked product presence (69th percentile).
- 5/5
- Generally Safe
- GRAS
- FDA status
- #130 of 417
- product-prevalence rank
- 0
- state regulations
Product-footprint and regulatory snapshot
Agar-Agar: 112 tracked U.S. products (common band, #130 of 417) frame how often this additive appears on shelves.
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Tracked Products | 112 · #130 of 417 | Open Food Facts (US) |
| FDA Status | GRAS | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Approved | EC 1333/2008 |
| E-Number | E406 | EU additive register |
| CAS Number | 9002-18-0 | CAS Registry |
| Category | Thickener | FDA functional class |
| Composite Safety Score | 5 / 5 (Generally Safe) | PlainIngredients methodology |
| EFSA ADI | Not established | EFSA scientific opinion |
| U.S. State Actions | 0 states | State legislative records |
Values reflect official agency classifications as published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Union's regulatory framework. See our methodology for scoring details.
What is Agar-Agar?
Natural gelling agent from seaweed.
Health Concerns
- Safe. Vegan gelatin alternative.
Common Uses
Shelf-footprint peer axes
Nationwide peers for a common OFF footprint
Nearest OFF product-count peers (112 tracked here); safety-score column omitted on prevalence-led pages.
Nearest OFF product count to 112
Nearest other additives by Open Food Facts product count (floored at ≥50).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Agar-Agar safe to consume?
Agar-Agar scores 5/5 (Generally Safe). FDA status is GRAS. On the Open Food Facts U.S. sample it is a common additive (112 tracked products, #130 of 417), so product footprint, not just the score label, frames how widely a shopper will meet it.
What is Agar-Agar used for in food?
Agar-Agar shows up as Desserts, jellies, vegan foods in the Thickener class, and the OFF sample puts it in the common footprint band (112 products).
Where does Agar-Agar sit among food additives PlainIngredients tracks?
Among additives with at least one tracked product, it ranks #130 of 417 by Open Food Facts product count. See /methodology#corpus-placement for the ranking bases.
What is the difference between FDA and EU regulation of Agar-Agar?
The FDA classifies Agar-Agar as "GRAS" while the EU status is "Approved" (E406). The EU often applies the precautionary principle, sometimes restricting additives that remain approved in the US.
What health concerns are associated with Agar-Agar?
Research has identified the following health concerns for Agar-Agar: Safe. Vegan gelatin alternative.. These findings inform its safety score of 5/5. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance, especially if you have pre-existing conditions.