E460Carrier · Emulsifier · Humectant · Stabiliser · Thickener
Cellulose
What research says
Study type not stated
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No harm found
Solubility specification review4
Scientists looked at how microcrystalline cellulose dissolves and said the proposed change raises no safety concern.
How it’s made and used
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Bowel habits and constipation3
In women, cellulose changed stool weight and softness in those with normal bowel habits, but not in constipated women.
The signal at the top counts the findings in people and in animal and lab studies. A concern in studies of people outranks animal and lab studies, and “No concerns” needs at least two findings in people. Findings whose study type is not stated are shown but not counted. This page is a reference, not medical advice. It describes what regulators and published research say. Talk to a doctor or dietitian about your own diet.
Regulatory status
Checked Sep 2026-
European Union Permitted EUR-Lex Reg. (EC) 1333/2008
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United Kingdom Permitted FSA retained EU law
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Canada Permitted Health Canada · Anticaking Agents
Status reflects the named register on the date checked. It is not a safety rating. A country appears here once we've found this ingredient on its official list.
How we checkProducts
The 6 most-scanned of 8,374 products on Open Food Facts that list cellulose.
- Ciabatta Schär · 200 g 3 additives
- Cocktail sausages Quorn · 180 g 6 additives
- Propolis 1500 Now Foods · 100 capsule 4 additives
- medaglioni basil & pine nuts ITALIAMO · 250 g 2 additives
- Grated Parmesan Cheese Kraft · 24 oz 1 additive
- Kabanosy drobiowe Tarczyński 4 additives
References
- 1Cellulose: ingredient taxonomy entry. Open Food Facts.
- 2Cellulose. Wikipedia. Accessed September 25, 2026.
- 3Danjo K, Sakamoto J, Iwane S, et al. Effects of cellulose supplementation on fecal consistency and fecal weight. Dig Dis Sci. 2008;53(3):712-8. doi:10.1007/s10620-007-9938-6
- 4EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS). Safety of the proposed amendment of the specifications for microcrystalline cellulose (E 460(i)) as a food additive. EFSA J. 2017;15(2):e04699. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2017.4699