Locust Bean Gum vs Sodium Propionate: which is worse?
Quick answer: Both score equally on our risk model. Locust Bean Gum is allowed in the EU and allowed in the US; Sodium Propionate is allowed in the EU and allowed in the US.
| Property | Locust Bean Gum | Sodium Propionate |
|---|---|---|
| EU status | Allowed | Allowed |
| US status | Allowed | Allowed |
| Risk level | low | low |
| Banned in | — | — |
| Restricted in | — | — |
| Category | additive | preservative |
| Where it hides | Breyers Ice Cream, Kraft Philadelphia Cream Cheese, Stoneyfield Yogurt | Thomas' English Muffins, Pepperidge Farm Whole Grain Bread, Sara Lee Bread |
What is Locust Bean Gum?
Locust bean gum (LBG) is a galactomannan polysaccharide extracted from the seeds of the carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua), native to the Mediterranean. It is a fine white to yellow powder that forms a thick gel when dissolved in hot water. It synergizes strongly with xanthan gum and carrageenan to enhance gel strength.
What is Sodium Propionate?
Sodium propionate is the sodium salt of propionic acid. Like calcium propionate (E282), it is used as an antimicrobial preservative to prevent mold and bacterial spoilage in bread and baked goods. It is also used in poultry and animal feed applications.
Documented risks
Locust Bean Gum: Generally recognized as safe. EFSA's Panel on Food Additives confirmed the safety of LBG in 2017, noting no concerns at current dietary exposures. It functions as a soluble dietary fiber and can have mild prebiotic effects. No significant adverse effects have been documented in human or animal studies at food-relevant doses.
Sodium Propionate: The health profile is essentially the same as calcium propionate. The 2019 Science Translational Medicine study implicating propionate in metabolic changes applies to all propionate salts. Behavioral sensitivity concerns that have been anecdotally reported with calcium propionate may similarly apply. At regulated use levels, sodium propionate is considered safe by global regulatory agencies.
Scan a barcode and we'll flag both Locust Bean Gum and Sodium Propionate (plus 200+ other ingredients banned overseas).
Scan free →