Thickener · EU 417
Tara Gum
FDA status: Approved. EU: Approved. No U.S. state has enacted a specific ban yet.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Tara Gum 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 #122 of 417.
- #122 of 417 by tracked product prevalence
The verdict
Tara Gum is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it. By Open Food Facts product count it sits #122 of 417 among additives with tracked product presence (71st percentile).
- 4/5
- Low Risk
- Approved
- FDA status
- #122 of 417
- product-prevalence rank
- 0
- state regulations
Product-footprint and regulatory snapshot
Tara Gum: 124 tracked U.S. products (common band, #122 of 417) frame how often this additive appears on shelves.
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Tracked Products | 124 · #122 of 417 | Open Food Facts (US) |
| FDA Status | Approved | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Approved | EC 1333/2008 |
| E-Number | 417 | EU additive register |
| CAS Number | - | CAS Registry |
| Category | Thickener | 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 |
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 Tara Gum?
Tara Gum is a food additive (417) classified as thickener.
Health Concerns
- EFSA evaluation: Re‐evaluation of tara gum -E 417- as a food additive
Common Uses
Shelf-footprint peer axes
Nationwide peers for a common OFF footprint
Nearest OFF product-count peers (124 tracked here); safety-score column omitted on prevalence-led pages.
Nearest OFF product count to 124
Nearest other additives by Open Food Facts product count (floored at ≥50).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tara Gum safe to consume?
Tara Gum scores 4/5 (Low Risk). FDA status is Approved. On the Open Food Facts U.S. sample it is a common additive (124 tracked products, #122 of 417), so product footprint, not just the score label, frames how widely a shopper will meet it.
What is Tara Gum used for in food?
Tara Gum shows up as Sauces, soups, dairy products, baked goods in the Thickener class, and the OFF sample puts it in the common footprint band (124 products).
Where does Tara Gum sit among food additives PlainIngredients tracks?
Among additives with at least one tracked product, it ranks #122 of 417 by Open Food Facts product count. See /methodology#corpus-placement for the ranking bases.
What health concerns are associated with Tara Gum?
Research has identified the following health concerns for Tara Gum: EFSA evaluation: Re‐evaluation of tara gum -E 417- as a food additive. These findings inform its safety score of 4/5. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance, especially if you have pre-existing conditions.