Locust bean gum in infant foods below 16 weeks
What it found
In a piglet study, locust bean gum was linked to lower blood zinc levels.
For some infant exposure scenarios the margin of exposure was above 1, which the authors say would not raise a safety concern.
What they found
Animal and lab studies
Blood zinc in piglets
A study in piglets found reduced blood zinc levels. From this, the panel set a reference point of 1,400 mg/kg body weight per day.
Other findings
Margin of exposure in infants
For some scenarios and exposure levels for infants, the margin of exposure was above 1. The panel says a margin above 1 would not raise a safety concern.
Margin of exposure in toddlers
For toddlers who eat only food for special medical purposes, the margin of exposure was above 1 at all exposure levels looked at.
Specifications for the additive
The panel says the technical data sent in by interested business operators support changing the specifications for locust bean gum (E 410) set out in Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012.
What the authors conclude
“The Panel concluded that a MoE above 1 would not raise a safety concern.”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that the technical data provided by the interested business operators support an amendment of the specifications for locust bean gum (E 410) laid down in Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012.
- They conclude that a margin of exposure above 1 would not raise a safety concern.
- They report that a margin of exposure above 1 was obtained for some of the scenarios and exposure levels for infants, and for all exposure levels in toddlers who consume only food for special medical purposes.
How it was done
The panel was asked to follow up its earlier assessment and look at the safety of locust bean gum when used in foods for infants below 16 weeks of age, and in foods for babies and young children for special medical purposes.
The panel asked for data and used what was sent in. They set a reference point of 1,400 mg/kg body weight per day from a piglet study where blood zinc levels were reduced, and used it to work out margins of exposure for infants and toddlers.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- The reference point comes from a study in piglets, so it cannot show what level of locust bean gum would affect blood zinc in people.
- The margin of exposure was above 1 only for some infant scenarios and exposure levels, so the picture is not the same for every infant use.
- This assessment looks at exposure through food for special medical purposes, not at all possible ways someone might take in locust bean gum.
The paper
- Title
- Re-evaluation of locust bean gum (E 410) as a food additive in foods for infants below 16 weeks of age and follow-up of its re-evaluation as a food additive for uses in foods for all population groups
- Type
- Scientific opinion of the European Food Safety Authority
- Evidence
- Animals and lab studies
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings (FAF), Younes M, Aquilina G, et al (2023). Re-evaluation of locust bean gum (E 410) as a food additive in foods for infants below 16 weeks of age and follow-up of its re-evaluation as a food additive for uses in foods for all population groups. EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2023.7775Free full textPubMed 36789355DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error