Pectin
A completely safe, natural fruit extract.
- Category
- Thickeners
- Vegan
- Yes
- Vegetarian
- Yes
What it is
A structural heteropolysaccharide naturally present in the cell walls of terrestrial plants, commonly used to set jams.
How it is used in food
Pectin is the gelling fibre of fruit cell walls — commercially from citrus peel and apple pomace — and it is what sets jam, stabilises yoghurt drinks and fruit preparations, and gives low-sugar confectionery its texture. As a soluble fibre it also has measurable physiological benefits: it slows gastric emptying, binds bile acids and modestly lowers LDL cholesterol, and it is fermented in the colon to short-chain fatty acids.
Commonly found in- Jams
- Jellies
- Fruit fillings
Health and safety
Completely safe; acts as a soluble dietary fiber in the human digestive system.
EFSA re-evaluated pectin and amidated pectin in 2017 and found no safety concern at reported use levels, keeping the ADI 'not specified' for both, while noting the exception of infants under 16 weeks in specific medical foods where more data were requested. Human trials of 6–15 g/day show consistent small reductions in LDL cholesterol, and Cochrane-level reviews support pectin's role in reducing intestinal transit problems. High intakes can cause bloating and, in principle, reduce absorption of some minerals and drugs by binding them, so pectin-rich supplements are best separated in time from medication.
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
- E440a
Worth knowing
There are two functionally different pectins on the market: high-methoxyl pectin needs sugar and acid to set, which is why traditional jam recipes demand so much sugar, while low-methoxyl pectin gels with calcium instead and made sugar-free jams possible. Pectin also underpins one of the oldest anti-diarrhoeal remedies — the apple-and-banana part of the BRAT diet works partly through it.
Conclusion
A completely safe, natural fruit extract.
References
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Open the appEntry last reviewed 2026-07-28.
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