Federal regulations · Through 2026-08-25 · Newer source version available

21 CFR 172.620: Carrageenan.

The food additive carrageenan may be safely used in food in accordance with the following prescribed conditions:
(a) The food additive is the refined hydrocolloid prepared by aqueous extraction from the following members of the families Gigartinaceae and Solieriaceae of the class Rodophyceae (red seaweed):
Chondrus crispus.
Chondrus ocellatus.
Eucheuma cottonii.
Eucheuma spinosum.
Gigartina acicularis.
Gigartina pistillata.
Gigartina radula.
Gigartina stellata.
(b) The food additive conforms to the following conditions:
(1) It is a sulfated polysaccharide the dominant hexose units of which are galactose and anhydrogalactose.
(2) Range of sulfate content: 20 percent to 40 percent on a dry-weight basis.
(c) The food additive is used or intended for use in the amount necessary for an emulsifier, stabilizer, or thickener in foods, except for those standardized foods that do not provide for such use.
(d) To assure safe use of the additive, the label and labeling of the additive shall bear the name of the additive, carrageenan.

Where this section sits in the code

Title 21—Food and Drugs
CHAPTER I—FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
SUBCHAPTER B—FOOD FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION
PART 172—FOOD ADDITIVES PERMITTED FOR DIRECT ADDITION TO FOOD FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION
Subpart G—Gums, Chewing Gum Bases and Related Substances

The food additive carrageenan may be safely used in food in accordance with the following prescribed conditions:

(a) The food additive is the refined hydrocolloid prepared by aqueous extraction from the following members of the families Gigartinaceae and Solieriaceae of the class Rodophyceae (red seaweed):

Chondrus crispus.

Chondrus ocellatus.

Eucheuma cottonii.

Eucheuma spinosum.

Gigartina acicularis.

Gigartina pistillata.

Gigartina radula.

Gigartina stellata.

(b) The food additive conforms to the following conditions:

(1) It is a sulfated polysaccharide the dominant hexose units of which are galactose and anhydrogalactose.

(2) Range of sulfate content: 20 percent to 40 percent on a dry-weight basis.

(c) The food additive is used or intended for use in the amount necessary for an emulsifier, stabilizer, or thickener in foods, except for those standardized foods that do not provide for such use.

(d) To assure safe use of the additive, the label and labeling of the additive shall bear the name of the additive, carrageenan.

Collected 2026-08-27T02:24:47Z. Source file · JSON

Browse this collection