What Is Tragacanth Gum? Safety, Risks & Alternatives

⚡ Quick Facts

E-NumberE413
FDA StatusFDA classifies tragacanth gum as GRAS (21 CFR 184.1351). Approved as an emulsifier, stabilizer, and thickener. No ADI es…
EFSA StatusEFSA re-evaluated in 2017 and maintained approval with no numerical ADI. EFSA noted limited toxicological data available…
SeverityModerate Risk (6/10)

What Is Tragacanth Gum?

A natural gum exudate obtained from the dried sap of several species of Middle Eastern leguminous plants of the genus Astragalus, particularly Astragalus gummifer. One of the oldest known natural emulsifiers and thickeners, tragacanth has been used for thousands of years in foods, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. It produces highly viscous solutions and is acid-stable, making it useful in acidic food products like salad dressings.

Mechanism of Action

Tragacanth gum consists of two fractions: tragacanthin (water-soluble, ~30-40%) and bassorin (water-swellable, ~60-70%). The bassorin fraction swells in water to form a gel, while tragacanthin dissolves to form a colloidal solution. Together they create stable emulsions and viscous solutions. Like other plant gums, tragacanth is not digested by human enzymes and functions as a dietary fiber in the GI tract.

Why People Avoid Tragacanth Gum

Regulatory Status

🇺🇸 FDA

FDA classifies tragacanth gum as GRAS (21 CFR 184.1351). Approved as an emulsifier, stabilizer, and thickener. No ADI established. Usage has declined due to high cost and variable quality.

🇪🇺 EFSA

EFSA re-evaluated in 2017 and maintained approval with no numerical ADI. EFSA noted limited toxicological data available but concluded no safety concern at current low usage levels. Usage in the EU has declined significantly.

Regulatory Timeline

• Ancient — Referenced in ancient Greek texts; used in Middle Eastern traditional medicine for millennia
• 1800s — Widely used in pharmaceutical compounding and confectionery
• 1970s — FDA grants GRAS status
2017 EFSA re-evaluates tragacanth gum (E 413) and confirms safety
• 2020s — Usage continues to decline, largely replaced by xanthan gum and other modern alternatives

No products currently in our database are flagged for Tragacanth Gum.

Safer Alternatives

✅
Xanthan gum
✅
Guar gum
✅
Acacia gum (gum arabic)
✅
Locust bean gum
✅
Pectin

Scientific Sources

  1. EFSA (2017). Re-evaluation of tragacanth (E 413) as a food additive. EFSA Journal, 15(5), 4789
  2. FDA (21 CFR 184.1351). Gum tragacanth — GRAS substances
  3. Mohammadifar et al. (2006). Solution properties of tragacanthin. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 38(1), 31-39

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tragacanth Gum?
A natural gum exudate obtained from the dried sap of several species of Middle Eastern leguminous plants of the genus Astragalus, particularly Astragalus gummifer. One of the oldest known natural emulsifiers and thickeners, tragacanth has been used for thousands of years in foods, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. It produces highly viscous solutions and is acid-stable, making it useful in acidic food products like salad dressings.
Is Tragacanth Gum safe?
Tragacanth Gum is FDA classifies tragacanth gum as GRAS (21 CFR 184.1351). Approved as an emulsifier, stabilizer, and . EFSA re-evaluated in 2017 and maintained approval with no numerical ADI. EFSA noted limited toxicolo.
Where is Tragacanth Gum banned?
Tragacanth Gum is not currently banned in any major market according to our database.
What are alternatives to Tragacanth Gum?
Safer alternatives to Tragacanth Gum include: Xanthan gum, Guar gum, Acacia gum (gum arabic), Locust bean gum, Pectin.
How can I avoid Tragacanth Gum?
Download CheckIt AI and scan any product's barcode or ingredient label. The app will flag Tragacanth Gum and suggest safer alternatives.
What foods contain Tragacanth Gum?
Tragacanth Gum is commonly found in: Salad dressings, Sauces, Confectionery (Turkish delight), Ice cream, Pharmaceutical suspensions, Cosmetic lotions, Incense binding. Our database has flagged it in 0 products.
What are the side effects of Tragacanth Gum?
Concerns about Tragacanth Gum include: Potential allergic reactions — derived from Astragalus (legume family); Variable quality due to wild harvesting — composition varies by species and region; May be contaminated with microbial impurities due to traditional harvesting methods.
Is Tragacanth Gum natural or artificial?
Tragacanth Gum is derived from natural sources. Tragacanth gum consists of two fractions: tragacanthin (water-soluble, ~30-40%) and bassorin (water-swellable, ~60-70%)..
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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 Tragacanth Gum? Safety, Risks & Alternatives | CheckIt AI". Climaverse PBC. Retrieved from https://getcheck.it/ingredients/tragacanth-gum
MLA"What Is Tragacanth Gum? Safety, Risks & Alternatives | CheckIt AI." CheckIt AI, Climaverse PBC, 2026-03-05. https://getcheck.it/ingredients/tragacanth-gum.
HTML Embed<a href="https://getcheck.it/ingredients/tragacanth-gum">What Is Tragacanth Gum? Safety, Risks & Alternatives | CheckIt AI — CheckIt AI</a>
BibTeX@misc{checkit2026ingredientstragacanthgum, title = {What Is Tragacanth Gum? Safety, Risks & Alternatives | CheckIt AI}, author = {CheckIt AI}, year = {2026}, publisher = {Climaverse PBC}, url = {https://getcheck.it/ingredients/tragacanth-gum}, note = {Retrieved 2026-03-05} }