Guaiacum
Not authorised in EU, but permitted in AU-NZ and US. No evidence of harm at dietary intake.
- Category
- Antioxidants
- Vegan
- Yes
- Vegetarian
- Yes
What it is
Guaiacum is the natural resin of the lignum vitae tree, used as a fat-soluble antioxidant.
How it is used in food
Delays rancidity in fats and oils, from a natural resin rather than a synthetic antioxidant.
Commonly found in- Edible fats and oils
- Lard and shortening
- Chewing gum
Health and safety
It is not on the EU list of authorised food additives, so it has no modern evaluation and no acceptable intake behind it. The concern is that absence rather than any demonstrated harm.
Not authorised as a food additive in the EU. E314 and E241 are two legacy numbers for essentially the same guaiac resin.
Regulatory status
| Region | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Australia & New Zealand FSANZ |
Permitted | Permitted under the FSANZ Food Standards Code. |
| European Union EFSA / European Commission |
Not approved | Not on the EU authorised list of food additives (Annex II). |
| United States FDA (Food and Drug Administration) |
Permitted | Authorised for food use by the FDA (often GRAS for standard additives). |
Identification on labels
- E-number
- E314
Worth knowing
Lignum vitae is so dense that it sinks in water; the resin was valued in European medicine for centuries before it was ever a food additive.
Conclusion
An obsolete and unauthorized plant resin.
Is it in what you are buying?
ScanWise reads the barcode and tells you which additives a product actually contains, and what they do to its score.
Open the appEntry last reviewed 2026-07-28.
← All additives