The FDA permits it under 21 CFR 172.695, and EFSA’s 2017 re-evaluation set no numerical acceptable daily intake and found no safety concern for the general population at the exposures it estimated.

What is the difference between xanthan gum and guar gum?

Xanthan gum is made by bacterial fermentation of sugar; guar gum is ground from guar beans. Both thicken, but xanthan is stable in more conditions and guar thickens cold liquids well.

Does the checker flag gums?

No. Xanthan, guar, gellan and cellulose gum are not among the nine flagged groups.

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Additive guides · Product label guide

Xanthan gum vs guar gum, gellan gum and cellulose gum: source, job and label counts.

Updated October 29, 2026

What xanthan gum, guar gum, gellan gum and cellulose gum are made from, what each does in food, FDA status, and how many labels list each.

Quick answer

Gums thicken and stabilize food. Xanthan gum is made by fermenting sugar with a bacterium, guar gum is ground from guar beans, gellan gum is also made by fermentation, and cellulose gum is a chemically modified plant fiber. None is flagged by our checker. Each has its own FDA listing.

Xanthan gum: 275 current labels
Guar gum: 146 current labels
Gellan gum: 42 current labels
Cellulose gum: 34 current labels

01 · A closer look

Xanthan gum.

Xanthan gum is made by fermenting sugar with the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris, then drying the result into a powder. A pinch thickens sauces and dressings, keeps gluten-free dough together and stops separation. The FDA lists it as a food additive permitted as a stabilizer and thickener. EFSA re-evaluated it in 2017 and set no numerical acceptable daily intake, finding no safety concern at the exposures it estimated, with a caution for infants under 12 weeks.

EFSA ANS Panel: re-evaluation of xanthan gum (E 415) as a food additive, EFSA Journal 15(7):e04909 (2017)

02 · A closer look

Guar gum.

Guar gum is ground from the endosperm of the guar bean, a legume grown mostly in India. It thickens cold liquids well, so it is common in ice cream, yogurt, plant milks and pet food. The FDA affirms it as generally recognized as safe under 21 CFR 184.1339.

21 CFR 184.1339: guar gum

03 · A closer look

Gellan gum.

Gellan gum is another fermentation product, made by the bacterium Sphingomonas elodea. It keeps particles suspended, which is why it appears in plant milks with added calcium and in fortified drinks. It is permitted under 21 CFR 172.665.

21 CFR 172.665: gellan gum

04 · A closer look

Cellulose gum.

Cellulose gum, also called carboxymethylcellulose, is plant fiber that has been chemically modified so it dissolves in water. It adds body to ice cream, sauces and gluten-free baking. The FDA treats sodium carboxymethylcellulose as generally recognized as safe under 21 CFR 182.1745. A small human feeding study and mouse work on this emulsifier-like gum are described on the emulsifiers page.

21 CFR 182.1745: sodium carboxymethylcellulose

05 · A closer look

How our checker treats them.

None of these gums is one of the nine groups the checker flags, so they do not change a score. They tell you the food is engineered for texture: a plant milk or sauce with two or three gums is a different product from a short list. Compare the lists, then decide.

From the catalog · 6 labels

Xanthan gum

Of the 4,729 products whose full ingredient list we have read in the last 90 days, 275 (from 126 brands) list xanthan gum. Below are up to 6 of them, one per brand; open a product to see its full label and the date we read it.

Xanthan gum on current labels in the CleanFoodScore catalog (counted at the last site build)
	Labels
Current, complete labels checked	4,729
List xanthan gum	275 (5.8%)
Of those, no additive group flagged by the checker	130 of 275
Also flagged: Seed Oils	110 of 275
Also flagged: Artificial Preservatives	38 of 275
Also flagged: Carrageenan	18 of 275
Labels on the Hot sauce shelf	30
Labels on the Dressings & cooking sauces shelf	27
Labels on the Snack bars shelf	25
Labels on the Bread shelf	19
Labels on the Frozen pizza shelf	17

From the catalog · 6 labels

Guar gum

Of the 4,729 products whose full ingredient list we have read in the last 90 days, 146 (from 94 brands) list guar gum. Below are up to 6 of them, one per brand; open a product to see its full label and the date we read it.

Guar gum on current labels in the CleanFoodScore catalog (counted at the last site build)
	Labels
Current, complete labels checked	4,729
List guar gum	146 (3.1%)
Of those, no additive group flagged by the checker	53 of 146
Also flagged: Seed Oils	58 of 146
Also flagged: Artificial Preservatives	39 of 146
Also flagged: Carrageenan	20 of 146
Labels on the Cheese shelf	23
Labels on the Olives & jarred peppers shelf	13
Labels on the Dairy alternatives: plant milks shelf	12
Labels on the Ketchup, mayo & condiments shelf	11
Labels on the Dairy alternatives: butter & cheese shelf	10

From the catalog · 6 labels

Gellan gum

Of the 4,729 products whose full ingredient list we have read in the last 90 days, 42 (from 25 brands) list gellan gum. Below are up to 6 of them, one per brand; open a product to see its full label and the date we read it.

Gellan gum on current labels in the CleanFoodScore catalog (counted at the last site build)
	Labels
Current, complete labels checked	4,729
List gellan gum	42 (0.9%)
Of those, no additive group flagged by the checker	22 of 42
Also flagged: Seed Oils	20 of 42
Labels on the Dairy alternatives: plant milks shelf	25
Labels on the Creamers shelf	9
Labels on the Milk shelf	4
Labels on the Coffee shelf	2
Labels on the Salt shelf	2

From the catalog · 6 labels

Cellulose gum (carboxymethylcellulose)

Of the 4,729 products whose full ingredient list we have read in the last 90 days, 34 (from 23 brands) list cellulose gum. Below are up to 6 of them, one per brand; open a product to see its full label and the date we read it.

Cellulose gum on current labels in the CleanFoodScore catalog (counted at the last site build)
	Labels
Current, complete labels checked	4,729
List cellulose gum	34 (0.7%)
Of those, no additive group flagged by the checker	2 of 34
Also flagged: Seed Oils	18 of 34
Also flagged: Artificial Sweeteners	12 of 34
Also flagged: Artificial Preservatives	8 of 34
Labels on the Bread shelf	10
Labels on the Protein powders shelf	5
Labels on the Sugar & sweeteners shelf	4
Labels on the Energy drinks shelf	3
Labels on the Baking ingredients shelf	2

The short answer

Our picks for xanthan gum and guar gum

Top of the shelfThai Kitchen Organic Unsweetened Coconut Milk, Organicville Organic Balsamic Vinaigrette & Marinade, and Pyure Organic Organic Caramel Flavored Syrup each score 100/100. 5 products tie at 100; these 3 have the shortest labels. Use Compare by in the table to separate the rest.

Also strongEdward & Sons Premier Japan Organic Gluten-Free Hoisin Sauce (100), San Juan Island Sea Salt Cappuccino Salted Honey Caramels (100), and Horizon Organic Organic Chocolate Lowfat Milk (85).

Clear noEndangered Species Chocolate Cranberry & Almonds + 72% Dark Chocolate (lists seed oils) and SOWN Organic Unsweetened Oat Creamer (lists seed oils).

Ranked from 12 of 12 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.

Only show matches

12 of 12 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
	100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic	Find where to buy ↗Product details →	5
Recorded ingredients Water, Tamari Sauce* (Water, Soybeans, Salt, Alcohol, Koji), Apple Cider Vinegar, Cane Sugar, Molasses, Red Miso (Water, Soybeans, Rice, Salt, Yeast, Koji), Orange Juice Concentrate, Tapioca Starch or Corn Starch, Sesame Oil, Jalapeno, Ginger, Garlic Powder, Tamarind, Xanthan Gum, Cinnamon, Anise, Black Pepper, Fennel, Clove. Organic Ingredients. Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗ Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-16 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “Premier Japan® Organic Gluten Free Hoisin Sauce”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗ Reviewed 2026-10-16
	100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic	Find where to buy ↗Product details →	5
Recorded ingredients WATER, ORGANIC BALSAMIC VINEGAR, ORGANIC REFINED OLIVE OIL, ORGANIC APPLE JUICE FROM CONCENTRATE, LESS THAN 2% OF SALT, XANTHAN GUM, ORGANIC ACACIA GUM, ORGANIC DRIED GARLIC, ORGANIC BASIL, ORGANIC BLACK PEPPER. Label checked 2026-10-19 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗ Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-19 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “Balsamic Vinaigrette & Marinade”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗ Reviewed 2026-10-19
	100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic	Find where to buy ↗Product details →	5
Recorded ingredients Water, Organic Soluble Tapioca Fiber, Organic Erythritol, Organic Natural Flavor, Xanthan Gum, Organic Caramel Color, Sea Salt, Organic Stevia Leaf Extract, Organic Acacia, Tartaric Acid Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗ Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-11 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “Organic Caramel Flavored Syrup”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗ Reviewed 2026-10-11
	100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic not applicable	Find where to buy ↗Product details →	4
Recorded ingredients Organic Sugar, Organic Whipping Cream (organic grade A cream (milk), gellan gum), Local (NW Washington) Honey, Organic Butter (cream (milk), salt), Organic Arabica Coffee, Organic Vanilla, San Juan Island Sea Salt. Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗ Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗ Reviewed
	100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic	Find where to buy ↗Product details →	5
Recorded ingredients Organic Coconut, Water & Organic Guar Gum. Label checked 2026-10-17 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗ Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-17 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “Thai Kitchen ® Organic Unsweetened Coconut Milk, 13.66 fl oz”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗ Reviewed 2026-10-17
	92 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · organic	Find where to buy ↗Product details →	4
Recorded ingredients ORGANIC OATMILK (FILTERED WATER, ORGANIC HYDROLYZED OATS), ORGANIC CANOLA OIL, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: CALCIUM CARBONATE, POTASSIUM CITRATE, GELLAN GUM, BAKING SODA. Label checked 2026-10-19 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗ Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-19 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “UNSWEETENED OAT CREAMER”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗ Reviewed 2026-10-19
	85 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic	Product details →	5
Recorded ingredients RAW ORGANIC PROTEIN BLEND: ORGANIC PEA PROTEIN, ORGANIC SPROUTED BROWN RICE PROTEIN, ORGANIC AMARANTH SPROUT, ORGANIC BUCKWHEAT SPROUT, ORGANIC MILLET SPROUT, ORGANIC CRACKED WALL CHLORELLA, ORGANIC QUINOA SPROUT, ORGANIC CHIA SEED SPROUT, ORGANIC GARBANZO BEAN SPROUT, ORGANIC LENTIL SPROUT, ORGANIC ADZUKI BEAN SPROUT, ORGANIC FLAX SEED SPROUT, ORGANIC SUNFLOWER SEED SPROUT, ORGANIC PUMPKIN SEED SPROUT, ORGANIC SESAME SEED SPROUT, ORGANIC FLAVOR BLEND: ORGANIC CHOCOLATE FLAVOR WITH OTHER NATURAL FLAVORS, ORGANIC COCOA, ORGANIC ERYTHRITOL, ORGANIC GUAR GUM, SEA SALT, ORGANIC STEVIA LEAF EXTRACT, RAW PROBIOTIC & ENZYME BLEND: LIPASE, PROTEASE, ASPERGILLOPEPSIN, BETA-GLUCANASE, CELLULASE, BROMELAIN, PHYTASE, LACTASE, PAPAIN, PEPTIDASE, PECTINASE, HEMICELLULASE, XYLANASE, BACILLUS SUBTILIS DE111 (250 MILLION CFU AT TIME OF EXPIRATION). Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2626612 · data date 2023-08-31 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-16
	85 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic	Find where to buy ↗Product details →	5
Recorded ingredients GRADE A LOWFAT ORGANIC MILK, ORGANIC CANE SUGAR, ORGANIC COCOA (PROCESSED WITH ALKALI), ORGANIC COCOA, ORGANIC NATURAL FLAVOR, GELLAN GUM, DHA ALGAL OIL, ASCORBIC ACID AND VITAMIN E BLEND (TO PRESERVE FRESHNESS),, SALT, VITAMIN A PALMITATE, VITAMIN D3, INGREDIENT NOT PRESENT IN REGULAR LOWFAT MILK Label checked 2026-10-17 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2623612 · data date 2023-08-31 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-17
	71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim	Product details →	4
Recorded ingredients CORNSTARCH, POTATO STARCH, TAPIOCA STARCH, RICE FLOUR, CORN FLOUR, EXPELLER PRESSED PALM OIL, SALT, CANE SUGAR**, CELLULOSE GUM, LEAVENING (SODIUM BICARBONATE, SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE), SUNFLOWER LECITHIN (EMULSIFIER), YEAST, CITRIC ACID. Label checked 2026-10-18 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2389069 · data date 2022-12-22 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0).
	71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim	Find where to buy ↗Product details →	4
Recorded ingredients Purified Water, Non-GMO Lakanto Monkfruit Sweetener (Erythritol and Monk Fruit Extract), Vegetable Glycerin, Tapioca Fiber, Natural Flavors, Cellulose Gum, Cinnamon Extract, Salt, Fruit Juice (Color), Natural Citrus Extract (Preservative). Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗ Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗ Reviewed
	71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim	Buy on Amazon ↗Product details →	4
Recorded ingredients Cane sugar, coconut creamer (coconut oil, maltodextrin, sodium caseinate (milk), mono & diglycerides, silicon dioxide, maltodextrin, natural flavour, black tea extract, salt, guar gum, spices (including cinnamon, clove, ginger, cardamom), monk fruit extract, stevia leaf extract. Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗ Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗ Reviewed
	63 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim	Find where to buy ↗Product details →	3
Recorded ingredients Bittersweet Chocolate (Chocolate Liquor, Cane Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin, Vanilla), Almonds, Dried Cranberries, Cane Sugar, Cellulose Gum, Sunflower Oil. Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗ Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗ Reviewed

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

21 CFR 172.695: xanthan gum law.cornell.edu
21 CFR 184.1339: guar gum law.cornell.edu
21 CFR 172.665: gellan gum law.cornell.edu
21 CFR 182.1745: sodium carboxymethylcellulose law.cornell.edu
EFSA ANS Panel: re-evaluation of xanthan gum (E 415) as a food additive, EFSA Journal 15(7):e04909 (2017) efsa.europa.eu