E407 Carragenine or Carragenans

E407 CARRAGENINE OR CARRAGENANI

Carrageenans are polysaccharides of natural origin extracted from red algae heated at high temperatures and treated with acids. They are compounds resistant to the action of intestinal microbial flora with a thickening and gelling function. Carrageenans may be present in a variety of foods, such as ice-creams, desserts, puddings, candies, sugared almonds, chewing gum, baked confectionery products, biscuits, preparations for jellies, candied fruit, cream spray, mayonnaise, canned meats. canned fish.

At the doses normally used, they do not have negative side effects, while at high concentrations the carrageenans can cause flatulence and swelling, due to fermentation by the intestinal microflora. Some researchers argue, however, that carrageenans can also cause allergies, weaken the immune system and reduce assimilation of essential minerals, as well as having a potentially carcinogenic action.

ADI DOSE: 75 mg per kg of body weight.