U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) includes xanthan gumSticky, polysaccharide substances exuded by plants that are gelatinous when moist but harden on drying. 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 polysaccharideA large group of natural complex carbohydrates with the general formula (C6H10O5)n where ‘n’ is a large number. Polysaccarides are easily hydrolyzed into simple sugars. 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

• Gums, Chewing Gum Bases and Related Substances
• Pasteurized Process Cheese Spread 
• Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate Copolymers 

Xanthan gumSticky, polysaccharide substances exuded by plants that are gelatinous when moist but harden on drying. 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 UnionUnder the general provisions of the cosmetics regulation of the EU, ingredients appearing on the following function-specific annexes must comply with the listed restrictions and/or specifications: colorants (Annex IV), preservatives (Annex V), UV filters (Annex VI) and other ingredients with specific concentration limits and/or other restrictions (Annex III). Ingredients specifically prohibited from use in cosmetic products are listed in Annex II. Other ingredients listed in the EU cosmetic ingredient database (CosIng) may be used without restrictions..