Xanthan Gum

Safety Information

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) includes xanthan gum on its list of food additives permitted for direct addition to food. In foods, it is permitted to be used as a stabilizer, emulsifier, thickener, suspending agent, bodying agent or foam enhancer. It is also allowed to be used in some processed cheese products. FDA also includes xanthan gum on its list of indirect food additives for use in polymers that come in contact with food.

Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety

The safety of xanthan gum and biosaccharide gum-1 has been reviewed by the Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety. The Expert Panel reviewed the scientific data and concluded that these ingredients were safe as used in cosmetics and personal care products.

Based on the large molecular weights, the Expert Panel determined that xanthan gum and biosaccharide gum-1 would not be absorbed through the skin. The Expert Panel reviewed data that indicated that xanthan gum was not a reproductive or developmental toxicant. Studies of other polysaccharide gums did not reveal a genotoxic effect. Xanthan gum and biosaccharide gum-1 were not considered to be dermal irritants or sensitizers.

Based on the available data on xanthan gum and other polysaccharide gums, the Expert Panel concluded that xanthan gum and biosaccharide gum-1 were safe as used in cosmetic products. Xanthan gum is identified in 21 CFR 172.695 as a food additive that may be safely used following prescribed conditions.

Link to FDA Code of Federal Regulations regarding xanthan gum

Xanthan gum and biosaccharide gum-1 may be used in cosmetics and personal care products marketed in the European Union according to the general provisions of the Cosmetics Regulation of the European Union.

Resources

Xanthan Gum

What Is It?

Xanthan gum and biosaccharide gum-1 are polysaccharides derived from the fermentation of carbohydrates. Xanthan gum is derived from glucose or corn syrup, while biosaccharide gum-1 is derived from sorbitol. Xanthan gum and biosaccharide gum-1 are used in a wide variety of cosmetics and personal care products including bath products, makeup, skin and hair care products, and toothpaste.

Why Is It Used?

In cosmetics and personal care products, xanthan gum may function as a binder, emulsion stabilizer, skin-conditioning agent – miscellaneous, surfactant – emulsifying agent, or viscosity increasing agent – aqueous. Biosaccharide gum-1 is reported to function as a skin conditioning agent – miscellaneous.

Scientific Facts

Xanthan gum and biosaccharide gum-1 are both very large molecules with average molecular weights of 1,000,000 or more. Xanthan gum dissolves readily in water with stirring, resulting in highly viscous solutions at low concentrations.