Sodium pectate
A safe, natural plant derivative.
- Category
- Thickeners
- Vegan
- Yes
- Vegetarian
- Yes
What it is
The sodium salt of pectic acid, functioning as a gelling agent.
How it is used in food
Sodium pectate is the sodium salt of de-esterified pectic acid, and it behaves as a thickener, stabiliser and calcium-sensitive gelling agent. Because its carboxyl groups are largely free rather than methylated, it gels with calcium ions instead of needing high sugar and acid, which makes it useful in low-sugar fruit spreads and in firming applications. Like all pectic substances it is unabsorbed soluble fibre.
Commonly found in- Desserts
- Jellies
Health and safety
Safe, natural, and digests as dietary fiber.
Pectates fall within the pectin group evaluation: JECFA and EFSA treat pectin and its salts together and assign an ADI 'not specified', the least restrictive category, because they are not absorbed and are metabolised by colonic bacteria like other soluble fibres. The EU permits pectin as E 440i and amidated pectin as E 440ii; the specific pectate salts are not separately authorised in Europe. No genotoxicity or organ toxicity has been reported, and the practical limit is gastrointestinal tolerance — large amounts of any viscous fibre cause bloating and can slow the absorption of minerals and medicines.
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(ii)
Worth knowing
Pectates are the reason fruit softens as it ripens: enzymes progressively strip the methyl groups from pectin and then cut the pectate backbone, dissolving the calcium bridges that hold cell walls rigid. Food technologists run the process backwards by adding calcium to pectate to firm up canned tomatoes and cut fruit.
Conclusion
A safe, natural plant derivative.
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Open the appEntry last reviewed 2026-07-28.
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