Tara gum
A plant-based thickener from the tara tree seed, used to give foods a smooth, stable texture.
What is it?
Tara gum is a natural polysaccharide (galactomannan) ground from the endosperm of seeds of the tara tree (Caesalpinia spinosa), native to Peru. It is a fine, cream-coloured powder composed mainly of galactose and mannose units, similar in structure to locust bean gum and guar gum.
What does it do?
It dissolves in water to form a viscous gel that thickens, stabilises and prevents ingredients from separating. At higher concentrations it forms soft gels. It slows ice crystal growth in frozen foods and improves mouthfeel in dairy and sauce applications.
Where you will see it
Ice cream, frozen desserts, salad dressings, sauces, soups, processed cheese, gluten-free baked goods and some ready meals. On a UK label it appears as 'tara gum' or 'E417'.
What the science says
Animal toxicology: extensive testing with no adverse effects
Rats, mice and dogs have been fed tara gum at very high doses, far exceeding anything a person would eat from food. No significant harmful effects were found in any subchronic or chronic study. The highest doses tested in reproductive studies caused no developmental harm.
Rats fed tara gum at up to 4,500 mg/kg body weight per day for 90 days showed no significant adverse effects attributable to tara gum.
Chronic and carcinogenicity studies in rats and mice at up to 7,500 mg/kg body weight per day found tara gum was not carcinogenic.
Reproductive and developmental toxicity studies identified no adverse effects at the highest dose tested (2,500 mg/kg body weight per day).
Genotoxicity: no concern
Laboratory testing in bacterial mutation assays and micronucleus tests found no evidence that tara gum damages DNA or genetic material.
Tara gum tested negative in bacterial mutation assays and micronucleus testing; EFSA found no concern with respect to genotoxicity.
Manufacturing specifications: minor quality gaps noted
EFSA noted that the published specifications for tara gum did not cover certain microbiological limits (such as Salmonella and E. coli counts) or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that could arise from the seed-roasting process. These are manufacturing quality control matters, not concerns about how the additive behaves in the body.
EFSA recommended adding microbiological specifications and reviewing heavy metal limits; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from the roasting process were not addressed in existing specifications.
Where it stands with the regulators
Who should be careful
No specific population group is identified as needing to avoid tara gum. It is derived from a legume seed (tara tree, Caesalpinia spinosa, a member of the Fabaceae family); people with severe legume allergies may wish to note this and look for 'tara gum' or 'E417' on labels, though cross-reactivity has not been formally established.
The honest read
Tara gum sits in the same family as locust bean gum and guar gum, both long-used, well-understood seed gums. The 2017 EFSA re-evaluation was thorough, covering genotoxicity, chronic toxicity and reproductive effects across multiple species. Nothing in that body of work pointed to a consumer risk at the quantities used in food. The main open question EFSA left was on manufacturing specifications, not on any biological effect in people who eat it.
Related additives
Common questions
Is E417 banned in the UK?
No. Tara gum is approved for use in the UK under the assimilated EU Regulation 1333/2008 and appears on the FSA's approved additives list.
Is tara gum a legume? Could it cause a reaction?
Yes, it comes from the seed of the tara tree (Caesalpinia spinosa), which belongs to the legume family (Fabaceae). Cross-reactivity with common legume allergies has not been well studied. If you have a severe legume allergy, check labels for 'tara gum' or 'E417' and consult an allergist if uncertain.
What foods contain E417?
Ice cream, frozen desserts, salad dressings, soups, processed cheese, sauces and some gluten-free baked goods are typical. It appears as 'tara gum' or 'E417' in the ingredients list.
Is E417 vegan?
Yes. Tara gum is derived entirely from a plant source, the seed endosperm of the tara tree, and contains no animal-derived ingredients.
Sources
- EFSA ANS Panel: Re-evaluation of tara gum (E 417) as a food additive (EFSA Journal 2017)
- EFSA re-evaluation full text via PubMed Central
- UK FSA approved additives and E numbers
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