Emulsifier · EU 466
Sodium Carboxy Methyl Cellulose
FDA status: Approved. EU: Approved. No U.S. state has enacted a specific ban yet.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Sodium Carboxy Methyl Cellulose is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it independently of federal policy. Its composite safety score is 4 out of 5 (Low Risk), and the European Union separately classifies it as approved. By tracked product count it ranks #327 of 417.
- #327 of 417 by tracked product prevalence
The verdict
Sodium Carboxy Methyl Cellulose is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it. By Open Food Facts product count it sits #327 of 417 among additives with tracked product presence (20th percentile).
- 4/5
- Low Risk
- Approved
- FDA status
- #327 of 417
- product-prevalence rank
- 0
- state regulations
Regulatory snapshot
Sodium Carboxy Methyl Cellulose: composite 4/5 (Low Risk) with FDA Approved and EU Approved.
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| FDA Status | Approved | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Approved | EC 1333/2008 |
| E-Number | 466 | EU additive register |
| CAS Number | - | CAS Registry |
| Category | Emulsifier | FDA functional class |
| Composite Safety Score | 4 / 5 (Low Risk) | PlainIngredients methodology |
| EFSA ADI | Not established | EFSA scientific opinion |
| U.S. State Actions | 0 states | State legislative records |
| Tracked Products | 3 | Open Food Facts (US) |
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 Sodium Carboxy Methyl Cellulose?
Sodium Carboxy Methyl Cellulose is a food additive (466) classified as emulsifier.
Common Uses
Catalog-profile peer axes
Nationwide catalog-profile peers for Sodium Carboxy Methyl Cellulose
Product-count (3) and safety-score (4/5) peer columns, disjoint link sets.
Score 4/5 peers (≥50 OFF products)
Nearest other additives by PlainIngredients safety score (floored at ≥50 tracked products), distinct from the count row.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sodium Carboxy Methyl Cellulose safe to consume?
Sodium Carboxy Methyl Cellulose scores 4/5 (Low Risk). FDA status is Approved. In the lower-concern band the federal listing is the primary signal; EU status is Approved. Moderation still applies to any additive.
What is Sodium Carboxy Methyl Cellulose used for in food?
Sodium Carboxy Methyl Cellulose is commonly used as: Sauces, dressings, baked goods, ice cream. It belongs to the Emulsifier category of food additives.
Where does Sodium Carboxy Methyl Cellulose sit among food additives PlainIngredients tracks?
Among additives with at least one tracked product, it ranks #327 of 417 by Open Food Facts product count. See /methodology#corpus-placement for the ranking bases.