✓ Safety Verdict: Completely Safe (Health Benefits)
E440 (Pectin) is not just safe – it's healthy. It's a natural soluble fibre from apples and citrus fruits that may lower cholesterol, improve gut health, and stabilize blood sugar. One of the healthiest food additives.
What is E440 (Pectin)?
E440 is pectin, a natural polysaccharide (complex carbohydrate) found in fruit cell walls, used as a gelling agent.
How it's made:
- Extracted from apple pomace (leftover pulp from juice making)
- Also from citrus peel (orange, lemon)
- Boiled in acidic water, filtered, and dried
Why it's used:
- Gelling agent – makes jam set
- Thickener – creates viscosity in fruit preparations
- Stabilizer – prevents separation in acidic drinks
- Soluble fibre – adds dietary fibre
Where is E440 Found?
Jams & Preserves (Most Common):
- Jam, marmalade, and jelly
- Fruit spreads
Other Foods:
- Yogurt (thickener)
- Fruit drinks and smoothies
- Desserts and puddings
- Confectionery (fruit gums)
- Bakery fillings
Naturally High in Pectin:
- Apples (especially peel and core)
- Citrus fruits (especially pith)
- Quince, plums, gooseberries
Health Benefits of Pectin
Pectin is a soluble fibre with proven health benefits:
1. Lowers Cholesterol
- Binds to cholesterol in the gut, reducing absorption
- Studies show 5-10g daily pectin lowers LDL cholesterol by 7-10%
- May reduce heart disease risk
2. Blood Sugar Control
- Slows digestion and sugar absorption
- Reduces post-meal blood glucose spikes
- Helpful for diabetics
3. Gut Health
- Prebiotic effect – feeds beneficial gut bacteria
- May reduce diarrhea (bulks stool)
- Supports healthy gut microbiome
4. Weight Management
- Increases satiety (feeling full longer)
- Slows gastric emptying
- May aid weight loss efforts
5. Detoxification
- Binds to heavy metals in the gut
- May help remove toxins from body
Is E440 Safe?
Yes, completely safe and beneficial.
✅ Safety Profile:
- Natural compound in all fruits
- Soluble fibre – actively good for you
- No toxic effects
- No allergies, no cancer risk
- Safe for everyone – children, pregnant women
Minor Side Effects (High Doses):
At supplement doses (10-15g), some people may experience:
- Gas and bloating (fermentation by gut bacteria)
- Loose stools (if not drinking enough water)
Food contains far less – no side effects at typical levels.
Regulatory Status
UK/EU: Approved with no ADI limit (safe at any level)
US: FDA "Generally Recognized As Safe" (GRAS)
The Bottom Line
- ✅ Completely safe and healthy
- ✅ Natural soluble fibre from apples/citrus
- ✅ Lowers cholesterol by 7-10%
- ✅ Improves blood sugar control
- ✅ Supports gut health (prebiotic)
- ✅ Essential for jam-making
- ✅ May aid weight loss (increases fullness)
🔍 Track E440 with NutraSafe
Scan barcodes to identify pectin and track beneficial food additives.
Try NutraSafe Now
Last updated: February 2026