Cassia gum
A safe, plant-based natural thickener.
- Category
- Thickeners
- Vegan
- Yes
- Vegetarian
- Yes
What it is
A natural galactomannan gum extracted from the seeds of the Cassia obtusifolia plant.
How it is used in food
Cassia gum is milled from the endosperm of Cassia tora and Cassia obtusifolia seeds and behaves like other galactomannans: it thickens, retains water and works powerfully in synergy with carrageenan or xanthan to form firm gels. Its main authorised food role in the EU is as a gelling agent in cheese products and processed meats, and it is widely used in pet food, where it gives chunk-in-gravy products their texture.
Commonly found in- Dairy desserts
- Pet foods
- Ice cream
Health and safety
Safe for consumption; related to other safe plant gums like guar gum.
EFSA assessed semi-refined cassia gum for use as a food additive and concluded it was safe at the proposed uses provided purity specifications are met, particularly the limits on anthraquinone content (total anthraquinones below 0.5 mg/kg) and on Cassia occidentalis seed contamination, which is toxic to livestock. It was authorised as E 427 in 2011 for specific categories. Like other galactomannans it is not absorbed, is partly fermented in the colon, and can cause bloating at high intakes; the gum's safety case rests entirely on the refining step rather than on the raw seed.
Regulatory status
| Region | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Australia & New Zealand FSANZ |
Permitted | Permitted under the FSANZ Food Standards Code. |
| European Union EFSA / European Commission |
Permitted | Authorised for food use under EU regulations (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
- E427
Worth knowing
Cassia seeds contain anthraquinones — the same family of compounds that make senna a laxative — so food-grade cassia gum must be purified to strict limits on total anthraquinones before it can be used at all. The plants themselves are vigorous weeds of Indian and Asian farmland, so this is an additive made from a crop nobody deliberately plants.
Conclusion
A safe, plant-based natural thickener.
References
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Open the appEntry last reviewed 2026-07-28.
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