XANTHAN GUM
Binder; Emulsion Stabilizer; Skin-Conditioning Agent - Miscellaneous; Surfactant -Emulsifying Agent; Viscosity Increasing Agent - Aqueous; BINDING; EMULSION STABILISING; GEL FORMING; SKIN CONDITIONING; VISCOSITY CONTROLLING
Also listed as
CORN SUGAR GUM; XANTHAN; POLYSACCHARIDE B 1459
Given the incomplete information made available by companies and the government, EWG provides additional information on personal care product ingredients from the published scientific literature. The chart below indicates that research studies have found that exposure to this ingredient -- not the products containing it -- caused the indicated health effect(s) in the studies reviewed by Skin Deep researchers. Actual health risks, if any, will vary based on the level of exposure to the ingredient and individual susceptibility -- information not available in Skin Deep.
| This ingredient: | |
 | Cancer |
| Developmental/reproductive toxicity |
| Violations, restrictions & warnings |
| Allergies/immunotoxicity |
| Contamination concerns |
 | Lesser or emerging concerns for this ingredient: Data gaps |
|
See products containing XANTHAN GUM | |
About XANTHAN GUM: Xanthomonas campestris.
XANTHAN GUM has reported used in the following product types: facial moisturizer/treatment (1093); moisturizer (770); anti-aging (556); facial cleanser (347); sunscreen: SPF 15-30 (284); toothpaste (226); foundation (216); sunscreen: moisturizer (188); exfoliant/scrub (176); hand cream (172)
Data gaps
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel | ||
| 101 studies on toxicity in PubMed see search results -> | PubMed |
Ecotoxicology
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Not suspected to be an environmental toxin | Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List |
Multiple, additive exposure sources
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in food | FDA Food Additive Status | |
| Designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in food | FDA Everything Added to Food |
Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Classified as not expected to be potentially toxic or harmful | Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List | |
| show more | ||
Government, industry, academic studies and classifications
| government/industry list/academic study | appears on list as | classification(s) |
| FDA Food Additive Status | XANTHAN GUM | • Food additive: emulsifier • Food additive: food additive for which a petition has been filed and a regulation issued • Food additive: must be in accordance with good manufacturing practices, or sufficient for purpose; or in quantity not greater than required • In foods which standards same Code of Federal Regulations reference as appears earlier in paragraph not preclude use - CFR172.695 • Food additive: permitted as optional ingredient in a standardized food • Food Dress - refers to part number under Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations 169 • Cheeses and Rel Cheese Prods - refers to part number under Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations 133 • 0.25% max use level liquid feeds for ruminants - In animal feeds (stabilizer • thickener • suspending agent) - CFR573.10 |
| FDA Everything Added to Food | XANTHAN GUM | • Fully up-to-date toxicology information has been sought. |
| Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List | XANTHAN GUM | •This chemical was NOT flagged by CEPA for further attention. The chemical was flagged as a low human health priority and for uncertain persistence and uncertain bioaccumulation. |
references
| government/industry list/academic study | reference |
| FDA Food Additive Status | FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) 2006. Food Additive Status List. Downloaded from http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/%7Edms/opa-appa.html, Oct 16, 2006. |
| FDA Everything Added to Food | FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). 2008. EAFUS [Everything Added to Food]: A Food Additive Database. FDA Office of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. |
| Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List | EC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry. |
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