E410ThickenerStabiliser
What Is E410? Locust Bean Gum and Where It Is Used
Also known as: Carob bean gum
E410 is the additive number of locust bean gum, a thickener made from the seeds of the carob tree. It is used most in ice cream, kefir and plant-based milks.
- In the Besin database
- 357 products
- About 3.1 in every 100 products
- Source
- Plant-based
- Acceptable daily intake (ADI)
- No numerical value set
What does E410 do?
It binds water and thickens. In ice cream it limits the growth of ice crystals for a smooth texture, and with other gums, especially carrageenan and xanthan, it forms a stronger structure.
How is it made?
Made by separating and grinding the inner part of the seeds of the carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua).
Vegan and halal: Made from a plant seed; it suits vegan and vegetarian diets.
Which products contain E410?
357 of the 11,663 packaged products in the Besin database list E410 (Locust bean gum) in their ingredients. The categories where it appears most often:
- Single-Serve Ice Cream160 products
- Tub Ice Cream85 products
- Kefir13 products
- Soda11 products
- Frozen Desserts and Cakes8 products
- Plant-Based Milk7 products
Numbers as of the database snapshot of October 18, 2026.
Official evaluation
EFSA re-evaluated locust bean gum in 2017 and concluded that there is no need for a numerical ADI and no safety concern at the reported uses. Its use in food for infants under 16 weeks was assessed separately in 2023.
Food additives are regulated by the EU food additives regulation (Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008) and, in Türkiye, the Turkish Food Codex Regulation on Food Additives (Official Gazette, 30.06.2013, No. 28693). The ADI is the amount estimated to be safe to take every day over a lifetime, given per kilogram of body weight.
Frequently asked questions
Is locust bean gum the same as carob flour?
No. Carob flour is made from the pod and tastes a little like cocoa. Locust bean gum comes from inside the seeds and is a tasteless thickener.
Is E410 gluten-free?
Yes. Locust bean gum comes from a seed and contains no gluten.
Which products contain E410 most often?
In the Besin database it appears most often in single-serve and tub ice creams, kefir, sodas and plant-based milks.
Related additives
Sources
- EFSA (2017): Re-evaluation of locust bean gum (E410)
- the EU food additives regulation (Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008) and, in Türkiye, the Turkish Food Codex Regulation on Food Additives (Official Gazette, 30.06.2013, No. 28693)
Last reviewed: . This page is for information only and is not medical advice. To report a mistake, write to iletisim@besin.app.