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What is methylcellulose? The plant-fiber binder, where it shows up and how it differs from cellulose gum.

Updated

Methylcellulose is a chemically modified plant fiber used as a binder and thickener. FDA status, which shelves list it, how it differs from cellulose gum, and how our checker treats it.

Quick answer

Methylcellulose is a modified form of cellulose, the fiber in plant cell walls, used as a binder and thickener. The FDA lists U.S.P. methylcellulose as generally recognized as safe under 21 CFR 182.1480, used in accordance with good manufacturing practice. It is a different ingredient from cellulose gum (carboxymethylcellulose). Our checker does not flag methylcellulose, and it appears on only a small number of labels.

FDA status
GRAS, 21 CFR 182.1480
Made from
Cellulose, chemically modified
Our checker
Not flagged
In our catalog
12 current labels list methylcellulose

01 · A closer look

What methylcellulose is.

Cellulose is the fiber that gives plant cell walls their structure. Methylcellulose is cellulose that has been treated so that some of its hydroxyl groups carry a methyl group, which lets it dissolve in water and form a gel. The FDA’s listing specifies U.S.P. methylcellulose with a methoxy content of 27.5 to 31.5 percent on a dry-weight basis.

21 CFR 182.1480: methylcellulose

02 · A closer look

What the FDA says.

The FDA lists methylcellulose among the substances generally recognized as safe, as a food substance used in accordance with good manufacturing practice.

21 CFR 182.1480: methylcellulose

03 · A closer look

Why it is on the label.

Methylcellulose binds ingredients together, thickens sauces and holds moisture in frozen and baked foods, and it is one of the binders used where a recipe has no egg or gluten to hold it together. On the shelves we have, it shows up in frozen meals, frozen pizza, seafood products and bread.

04 · A closer look

Methylcellulose is not cellulose gum.

Cellulose gum is the label name for sodium carboxymethylcellulose, a different modification of cellulose with its own FDA listing. Studies on the gut effects of emulsifiers have used carboxymethylcellulose, not methylcellulose, so findings about one should not be applied to the other. Our guide to gums covers cellulose gum.

21 CFR 182.1745: sodium carboxymethylcellulose

05 · A closer look

How our checker treats it.

Methylcellulose is not one of the nine additive groups the checker flags, so it does not change a score by itself. If you avoid it for a personal reason, search the label for the word; we do not give medical advice.

21 CFR 182.1480: methylcellulose

From the catalog · 9 labels

Methylcellulose in our catalog

Of the 4,729 products whose full ingredient list we have read in the last 90 days, 12 (from 9 brands) list methylcellulose. It is a rare ingredient: a handful of frozen meals, pizzas, seafood and breads. Below are up to 10 of them, one per brand; open a product to see its full label and the date we read it.

Methylcellulose on current labels in the CleanFoodScore catalog (counted at the last site build)
Labels
Current, complete labels checked4,729
List methylcellulose12 (0.3%)
Of those, no additive group flagged by the checker0 of 12
Also flagged: Seed Oils12 of 12
Also flagged: Artificial Preservatives4 of 12
Also flagged: Artificial Dyes2 of 12
Cellulose gum labels, a different ingredient34
Labels on the Fresh & frozen seafood shelf3
Labels on the Frozen entrées & bowls shelf3
Labels on the Frozen pizza shelf3
Labels on the Bread shelf2
Labels on the Frozen pasta & ravioli shelf1

The short answer

Our picks for what is methylcellulose?

No pick yetEvery scored what is methylcellulose? label lists at least one of the groups we check, so nothing here earns a pick.

Clear noHungry-Man Popcorn Chicken with Spiced Rub Bbq Sauce (lists seed oils, artificial preservatives, hydrogenated oils and corn syrups), Totino's Combination Sausage & Pepperoni Seasoned Pork, Chicken and Beef Pizza Topping Pizza in a Golden Crust (lists seed oils, artificial dyes, artificial preservatives and banned-abroad additives), DiGiorno Stuffed Supreme Bites (lists seed oils and artificial preservatives), plus 4 more with a listed group.

Ranked from 7 of 7 products with current labels. Every product is in the table below; a score reflects labels and claims, not nutrition, allergies or safety.

Compare the recorded labels

Find the ingredients that matter to you.

7 of 7 products

“No …” columns: None found on the label · Listed on the label · Unknown. Diet fit: Fits · Doesn’t fit · Unknown (rules; not medical advice). Claims: verified · not established. Default: most check marks first; not a health score.

Compare product claims and recorded ingredients. Click a column heading to sort.
Buy
89 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · organic not applicableProduct details →3
63 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · no organic claimProduct details →3
63 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · no organic claimFind where to buy ↗Product details →3
63 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · no organic claimProduct details →3
55 / 1007 of 9 groups clear · no organic claimProduct details →3
39 / 1005 of 9 groups clear · no organic claimProduct details →3
39 / 1005 of 9 groups clear · no organic claimProduct details →2
How the clean score works

No setup needed, and strict: a full 100 needs every additive group clear and a verified organic claim (animal foods also need a verified grass-fed or pasture-raised claim; wild seafood and salt, which have no USDA organic standard, are scored without the organic points, and plant-based milks, cheeses and proteins without the feeding claim). Points: the nine additive groups (seed oils, artificial dyes, MSG, artificial sweeteners, carrageenan, artificial preservatives, hydrogenated oils, corn syrups, banned-abroad additives) share 60 points equally — not found earns a group’s full share, “may contain” earns half, listed earns 0; a verified organic claim is worth 25; a verified grass-fed or pasture-raised claim is worth 15 and counts only for animal foods. No claim, or an expired or unverified claim, earns nothing, so products without those claims cannot reach 100. Unverified or expired ingredient labels receive no score. Equal scores are equal. Ties are ordered by brand. Unknown and stale evidence never passes “Only show matches.” Producer claims and prices do not affect this score. This is not a nutrition, allergy, or safety rating.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Buying links do not influence ingredient results. “Buy on Amazon” opens a reviewed product listing; “Find where to buy” opens the maker’s page. Confirm the package, seller, stock, and current price before checkout. Price observations expire after 30 days.

Primary sources

Sources

  1. 21 CFR 182.1480: methylcellulose law.cornell.edu
  2. 21 CFR 182.1745: sodium carboxymethylcellulose law.cornell.edu