Loading…
Answer: Sodium Alginate is not currently banned worldwide, but health agencies have flagged concerns. The FDA still allows it in US food. Risk level: low. Commonly found in: Various ice cream brands, Kraft Salad Dressing, Some dairy stabilizer blends.
TL;DR: Sodium Alginate is allowed in the EU but allowed in the US (thickener stabilizer).
Reviewed for clarity & usefulness by the BannedPantry Parent Panel
Also called algin. (E401) CAS 9005-38-3.
Other names: E401, algin, INS 401
| EU status | Allowed |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | low |
| Where it shows up | Various ice cream brands, Kraft Salad Dressing, Some dairy stabilizer blends, Molecular gastronomy kits, Certain yogurts |
| CAS number | 9005-38-3 |
Sodium alginate is the sodium salt of alginic acid, a natural polysaccharide extracted from brown seaweed (Ascophyllum nodosum, Macrocystis, Laminaria species). It forms gels instantly in the presence of calcium ions, enabling molecular gastronomy techniques like spherification. It is widely used as a thickener, stabilizer, and gelling agent.
Thickens and stabilizes ice cream, salad dressings, and dairy; enables spherification in molecular gastronomy; also used in wound dressings and dental impressions.
Considered safe. No significant adverse effects at food use levels. Functions as a soluble dietary fiber with possible cholesterol-lowering and glucose-moderating effects documented in clinical studies. EFSA confirmed safety with no ADI needed for typical food additive uses.
For educational use only. This page summarizes the regulatory status of Sodium Alginatewith citations to the primary sources below. It is not medical advice. Regulatory status is not the same as a proven health effect — read the cited sources for their exact wording, and consult a doctor for decisions about your or your family's health.
Carrageenan, xanthan gum, or guar gum for thickening. Agar-agar for heat-stable gelling.
Yes — derived from seaweed.
A molecular gastronomy technique using sodium alginate + calcium chloride to form liquid-filled gel spheres resembling caviar or bubbles.
Yes — approved globally and functions as a beneficial dietary fiber.
No. Permitted in EU (E401), US, and globally.
Scan any product's barcode and instantly see if it contains Sodium Alginate or other ingredients banned overseas.
Scan a product free →Our scores are never influenced by brands. Last updated 6/11/2026.
Audited products that don't contain Sodium Alginate.
As an Amazon Associate, BannedPantry earns from qualifying purchases. This never influences our ratings — see Affiliate Disclosure.