E-numbers / Thickeners & emulsifiers / E462
also: ethylcellulose · EC
A plant-derived cellulose fibre modified with ethyl groups, used to thicken, bind and coat foods and supplements.
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Ethyl cellulose is a semi-synthetic cellulose ether made by reacting cellulose (the structural fibre of plant cell walls) with ethyl chloride or diethyl sulphate under alkaline conditions.
UK supermarket foods that declare E462: 4 of the 43,325 we checked (under 0.1%)
Counted by its code or its name in the ingredient list.
Counted by NutraSafe from UK supermarket ingredient lists, September 2026. How we counted
Ethyl cellulose is a semi-synthetic cellulose ether made by reacting cellulose (the structural fibre of plant cell walls) with ethyl chloride or diethyl sulphate under alkaline conditions. The result is an odourless, tasteless white powder that dissolves in organic solvents but not in water. It is distinct from other cellulose ethers such as methyl cellulose (E461) and hydroxypropyl cellulose (E463).
In food, ethyl cellulose acts as a film-former and coating agent, creating a moisture barrier around tablet or capsule forms of food supplements. In processed foods it functions as a binder and thickener, holding ingredients together and modifying texture. Because it is not water-soluble, it is particularly useful where a dry, stable coating is needed. It is not digested or absorbed in the gut to any meaningful degree, passing through intact and excreted in faeces.
Most commonly used in food-supplement capsules and tablet coatings. Occasionally used in confectionery as a glazing or film coat, and in specialist processed foods where a dry binder is needed. On a UK ingredient label it appears as 'ethyl cellulose' or 'E462'.
Ethyl cellulose is not digested by human gut enzymes and is not absorbed into the bloodstream. Studies in animals and humans confirm it passes through the gastrointestinal tract essentially intact. Because it does not enter the body in biologically active form, systemic toxicological effects are not expected from food exposure.
Ethyl cellulose is poorly absorbed following oral ingestion; it passes through the gastrointestinal tract and is excreted in faeces without significant systemic uptake.
The available genotoxicity studies for ethyl cellulose and structurally related cellulose ethers did not reveal evidence of DNA damage. Long-term animal feeding studies did not find treatment-related tumour formation. EFSA's 2018 review concluded there was no toxicological concern at the levels used in food.
Genotoxicity tests on cellulose ethers including ethyl cellulose were negative; carcinogenicity studies in rodents did not show treatment-related tumour formation.
Because ethyl cellulose is not absorbed and no adverse effects were identified at tested doses, EFSA concluded a numerical acceptable daily intake was not necessary. This reflects the panel's view that the substance does not accumulate in the body and poses no dose-dependent systemic risk at realistic food use levels.
EFSA set no numerical ADI for ethyl cellulose, noting the substance is not absorbed and that available data did not indicate a toxicological threshold requiring a numerical limit.
No specific population group is advised to avoid ethyl cellulose based on current evidence. People with rare cellulose sensitivities should check ingredient labels for 'ethyl cellulose' or 'E462', though such sensitivity is not a recognised clinical condition in the mainstream literature.
Ethyl cellulose is one of a family of cellulose ethers that have been used in food and pharmaceuticals for decades. The science picture is straightforward by the standards of food additives: it is not absorbed, it does not accumulate, and the long-term animal studies are negative. EFSA's 2018 group review of all the cellulose ethers found nothing requiring a numerical safety limit. The main use in everyday food is as a coating on supplement tablets and capsules rather than as an ingredient in food itself, so typical dietary exposure is very low. There is no active scientific debate about this additive.
No. Ethyl cellulose (E462) is authorised in the UK under the FSA's approved-additives register, effective from 31 December 2020, reflecting the assimilation of EU Regulation 1333/2008 into UK law.
No, though they are related. Ethyl cellulose is made by chemically attaching ethyl groups to natural cellulose. This changes its solubility properties: unlike plain cellulose (E460), ethyl cellulose dissolves in organic solvents but not in water, making it useful as a film-former and dry binder.
Ethyl cellulose is most commonly found in food supplement capsules and coated tablets, where it forms the shell or coating. It is occasionally used in confectionery coatings and specialist processed foods. It is much less common in everyday grocery products than other cellulose derivatives such as E461 (methyl cellulose) or E466 (carboxymethyl cellulose).
Yes. Ethyl cellulose is derived entirely from plant cellulose and contains no animal-derived ingredients.
Last reviewed: 20 June 2026
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