Why Are Some Food Additives Banned in the EU?

Is gellan gum (E418) being banned in the EU? The short answer is no. Gellan gum remains an authorised food additive in the European Union. However, the EU has removed some other food additives from its approved list, including titanium dioxide (E171) and Red 2G (E128).

Understanding these examples helps explain how the EU food additive system works and why an additive's E number does not automatically mean it will remain authorised forever.

Why Are Food Additives Banned in the EU?

Food additives used in the EU must meet the safety requirements established under the EU food additive framework.

An additive can be removed from the authorised list when new scientific evidence raises safety concerns or when the existing safety assessment can no longer support its continued use.

This means that an additive that was widely used in the past can later lose its authorisation after a new risk assessment.

Two well-known examples are E171 and E128.

E171: Titanium Dioxide

Titanium dioxide, or E171, was widely used as a white colouring agent in foods.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reassessed E171 and in 2021 concluded that a concern related to genotoxicity could not be ruled out. EFSA therefore concluded that titanium dioxide could no longer be considered safe as a food additive.

The European Commission subsequently adopted Regulation (EU) 2022/63, which removed E171 from the EU list of authorised food additives for use in food.

E171 is therefore a clear example of a food additive that was once authorised but later removed following a new safety assessment.

E128: Red 2G

Red 2G was another food colour that was previously authorised in the EU.

EFSA reassessed E128 and found that it was extensively metabolised to aniline. Because of concerns about the genotoxic and carcinogenic potential of aniline, EFSA could no longer maintain the previous acceptable daily intake for E128.

The EU subsequently suspended the use and marketing of foods containing E128.

E128 is another example showing that an additive's regulatory status can change when new scientific evidence changes the safety assessment.

Is Gellan Gum Being Banned in the EU?

No. Gellan gum (E418) is not currently being banned in the European Union.

E418 remains listed as an authorised food additive under the EU food additive framework, Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008.

The current consolidated EU regulation continues to list:

E418 — Gellan gum

as an authorised food additive, subject to the applicable conditions of use.

There is currently no EU regulation removing E418 from the authorised food additive list.

What About the Recent EU Changes to Food Additives?

The EU continues to review and update the rules for food additives.

Recent regulatory changes have affected several other additives, including carrageenan (E407), locust bean gum (E410), guar gum (E412), gum arabic (E414), xanthan gum (E415), pectins (E440) and some other substances.

These changes should not be confused with a ban on gellan gum.

E418 is still listed as an authorised food additive.

Is E418 Restricted in Organic Food?

There is one important distinction.

For organic production, the EU has introduced specific conditions for E418. From 1 January 2026, the organic-production rules specify the high-acyl form of gellan gum and require it to come from organic production where available.

This is an organic-food requirement. It is not a general ban on E418.

Gellan gum used in conventional food products is not banned simply because of this organic-production rule.

Does Having an E Number Mean an Additive Is Permanently Approved?

No.

An E number identifies a food additive that has been assessed and authorised for use under the applicable EU rules. It does not mean that the authorisation can never change.

The history of E171 and E128 shows that authorised additives can be removed when new scientific or regulatory evidence changes the safety assessment.

For food manufacturers, the important question is therefore not simply whether an ingredient has an E number, but whether it is currently authorised for the intended application and under what conditions.

What Is the Current Status of E418?

For gellan gum, the current situation is straightforward:

• E418 is an authorised food additive in the EU.
• E418 is not currently being banned.
• There is no current EU regulation removing E418 from the authorised food additive list.
• Specific rules may apply depending on the food category and application.
• Separate requirements apply to the use of E418 in organic production.

So, claims that "gellan gum is being banned in the EU" are not supported by the current EU food additive regulations.

Gellan Gum and EU Food Regulations

Gellan gum is used as a stabiliser, thickener and suspending or gelling agent in a range of food applications.

Its regulatory status should always be checked against the current version of the EU food additive legislation, because authorised uses and conditions can be updated over time.

For formulators and food manufacturers, the key point is simple:

E418 is currently authorised in the European Union. It is not currently being banned.

The fact that some other food additives, such as E171 and E128, have been removed from the EU food additive list does not mean that E418 is facing the same regulatory decision.