What Is Locust Bean Gum (Carob Gum)? Safety, Risks & Alternatives

⚡ Quick Facts

E-NumberE410
FDA StatusFDA classifies locust bean gum as GRAS (21 CFR 184.1343). Approved as a stabilizer, thickener, and emulsifier. No ADI es…
EFSA StatusEFSA re-evaluated in 2017 and maintained approval with no numerical ADI. EFSA's Scientific Committee identified some lim…
SeverityModerate Risk (6/10)

What Is Locust Bean Gum (Carob Gum)?

A natural galactomannan polysaccharide extracted from the seeds of the carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua), native to the Mediterranean region. Locust bean gum is used as a thickener, stabilizer, and gelling agent, particularly valued for its synergistic gelling properties when combined with other hydrocolloids like xanthan gum, carrageenan, or agar. It has a long history of use in foods and is considered one of the oldest known thickening agents.

Mechanism of Action

Locust bean gum is a galactomannan consisting of a mannose backbone with galactose side chains at approximately a 4:1 ratio. Unlike guar gum (which has a 2:1 ratio), locust bean gum's lower galactose content gives it the ability to form gels with other polysaccharides through 'smooth zone' interactions on the mannose backbone. It is not digested by human enzymes and acts as a soluble dietary fiber, fermented by colonic microbiota into short-chain fatty acids.

Why People Avoid Locust Bean Gum (Carob Gum)

Regulatory Status

🇺🇸 FDA

FDA classifies locust bean gum as GRAS (21 CFR 184.1343). Approved as a stabilizer, thickener, and emulsifier. No ADI established. Also approved for use in infant formula at specific concentrations.

🇪🇺 EFSA

EFSA re-evaluated in 2017 and maintained approval with no numerical ADI. EFSA's Scientific Committee identified some limitations in toxicological data but concluded no safety concern at current use levels. Permitted in infant formula up to 1 g/L in the EU.

Regulatory Timeline

• Ancient — Carob seeds used as weight measures in the ancient Mediterranean (origin of 'carat')
• 1940s — Commercial extraction of locust bean gum begins
• 1970s — FDA grants GRAS status
2017 EFSA re-evaluates locust bean gum (E 410) and confirms safety

Products Containing Locust Bean Gum (Carob Gum) (10 found)

#ProductBrandScore
1Holday cookies from Costco—25/100
2costco chicken salad—35/100
3365 Whole Foods Market Organic Unsweetened Soy Milk365,365 Everyday Value,Whole Foods Market Inc.38/100
4Spring Valley 165mg MagnesiumWalmart60/100
5MIXED BERRY VANILLA LOW-FAT GREEK YOGURT SHAKE, MIXED BERRY VANILLAChobani, Inc.61/100
6Fiber One Strawberries & Crme Donuts 4 CountGENERAL MILLS SALES INC.62/100
7ARCHER FARMS, STRAWBERRY CHEESE DANISHTarget Stores68/100
8Organic Unsweetened Almond Non-Dairy Beverage, VanillaKirkland83/100
9Organic Unsweetened Almond Non-Diary Beverage VanillaKirkland83/100
10Simply Nature Organic Soymilk OriginalSimply Nature92/100

Average safety score for products containing Locust Bean Gum (Carob Gum): 61/100

Safer Alternatives

✅
Guar gum
✅
Xanthan gum
✅
Tara gum
✅
Konjac glucomannan
✅
Cornstarch

Scientific Sources

  1. EFSA (2017). Re-evaluation of locust bean gum (E 410) as a food additive. EFSA Journal, 15(1), 4646
  2. FDA (21 CFR 184.1343). Locust (carob) bean gum — GRAS substances
  3. Dakia et al. (2008). Composition and physicochemical properties of locust bean gum extracted from whole seeds. Food Hydrocolloids, 22(5), 807-818

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Locust Bean Gum (Carob Gum)?
A natural galactomannan polysaccharide extracted from the seeds of the carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua), native to the Mediterranean region. Locust bean gum is used as a thickener, stabilizer, and gelling agent, particularly valued for its synergistic gelling properties when combined with other hydrocolloids like xanthan gum, carrageenan, or agar. It has a long history of use in foods and is considered one of the oldest known thickening agents.
Is Locust Bean Gum (Carob Gum) safe?
Locust Bean Gum (Carob Gum) is FDA classifies locust bean gum as GRAS (21 CFR 184.1343). Approved as a stabilizer, thickener, and e. EFSA re-evaluated in 2017 and maintained approval with no numerical ADI. EFSA's Scientific Committee.
Where is Locust Bean Gum (Carob Gum) banned?
Locust Bean Gum (Carob Gum) is not currently banned in any major market according to our database.
What are alternatives to Locust Bean Gum (Carob Gum)?
Safer alternatives to Locust Bean Gum (Carob Gum) include: Guar gum, Xanthan gum, Tara gum, Konjac glucomannan, Cornstarch.
How can I avoid Locust Bean Gum (Carob Gum)?
Download CheckIt AI and scan any product's barcode or ingredient label. The app will flag Locust Bean Gum (Carob Gum) and suggest safer alternatives.
What foods contain Locust Bean Gum (Carob Gum)?
Locust Bean Gum (Carob Gum) is commonly found in: Ice cream, Cream cheese, Infant formula, Salad dressings, Baked goods, Pet food, Canned soups. Our database has flagged it in 10 products.
What are the side effects of Locust Bean Gum (Carob Gum)?
Concerns about Locust Bean Gum (Carob Gum) include: Reports of allergic reactions in individuals sensitive to legumes (carob is in the legume family); Used in infant formula — some parents prefer additive-free formulations; May cause digestive discomfort (bloating, gas) in some individuals.
Is Locust Bean Gum (Carob Gum) natural or artificial?
Locust Bean Gum (Carob Gum) is derived from natural sources. Locust bean gum is a galactomannan consisting of a mannose backbone with galactose side chains at approximately a 4:1 ra.
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⚕️ This page provides ingredient information for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional for personalized dietary guidance.

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📋 Cite This Data
APACheckIt AI. (2026). "What Is Locust Bean Gum (Carob Gum)? Safety, Risks & Alternatives | CheckIt AI". Climaverse PBC. Retrieved from https://getcheck.it/ingredients/locust-bean-gum
MLA"What Is Locust Bean Gum (Carob Gum)? Safety, Risks & Alternatives | CheckIt AI." CheckIt AI, Climaverse PBC, 2026-03-05. https://getcheck.it/ingredients/locust-bean-gum.
HTML Embed<a href="https://getcheck.it/ingredients/locust-bean-gum">What Is Locust Bean Gum (Carob Gum)? Safety, Risks & Alternatives | CheckIt AI — CheckIt AI</a>
BibTeX@misc{checkit2026ingredientslocustbeangum, title = {What Is Locust Bean Gum (Carob Gum)? Safety, Risks & Alternatives | CheckIt AI}, author = {CheckIt AI}, year = {2026}, publisher = {Climaverse PBC}, url = {https://getcheck.it/ingredients/locust-bean-gum}, note = {Retrieved 2026-03-05} }