A brown-seaweed-derived gum that forms firm, heat-stable gels in the presence of calcium ions, widely used in molecular gastronomy techniques and restructured food products.

Physical state

Powder

Solubility

Soluble in water; forms gels with calcium ions

Odour

Odourless

Typical usage level

0.5-2.0% of finished product weight

Regulatory overview

EU and US regulatory context

EU Context

Regulation: Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008; purity criteria under Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012
E-number: E401
Status: Authorised food additive
Key standard: Confirm current Ph. Eur. / FCC monograph specification with the supplier.

US Context

FDA status: GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe)
CFR reference: Pending. Confirm exact citation before publishing to a client-facing document.
Common declaration: Sodium Alginate
Notes: Pending

Functions & applications

Gelling agent

Technical function	What it does
heat-stable gel formation	Forms gels that remain stable through thermal processing.
structuring of restructured foods	Provides structural integrity in reformed food products.

Recommended applications

Restructured foods

Gelling agent

Dessert gels

Gelling agent

Sauces

Gelling agent

Specifications

Technical specification

Appearance	Off-white to pale yellow powder
Colour	Off-white to pale yellow powder
Odour	Odourless
Solubility	Soluble in water; forms gels with calcium ions
Moisture	Pending. Confirm against the current supplier CoA.
Assay	Pending. Confirm against the current supplier CoA.
pH	Pending
Lead (heavy metals)	Pending. Confirm against the current supplier CoA.
Arsenic (heavy metals)	Pending. Confirm against the current supplier CoA.
Cadmium (heavy metals)	Pending. Confirm against the current supplier CoA.
Mercury (heavy metals)	Pending. Confirm against the current supplier CoA.
Total plate count	Pending. Confirm against the current supplier CoA.
Salmonella	Pending. Confirm against the current supplier CoA.
E. coli	Pending. Confirm against the current supplier CoA.
Yeast & mould	Pending. Confirm against the current supplier CoA.
Packaging	25kg multiwall paper bags with PE liner, on ISPM-15 treated pallets
Shelf life	24 months from production date, unopened
Storage	Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight.

Values marked "Pending" require confirmation against the current supplier CoA before being issued to a client.

Compliance

Legal & compliance notes

Allergen status: Does not contain any of the 14 major EU allergens.
GMO status: Extracted from brown seaweed; not applicable to GMO status.
Irradiation: Not irradiated.
Halal / Kosher: Typically available. Confirm certification with the specific supplier.

Critical QC checkpoints: Viscosity, Assay, Heavy metals.

CN code (8-digit)	Pending
TARIC (10-digit)	Pending
EU import duty	Pending
Anti-dumping measure	None on file

Sodium Alginate

EU and US regulatory context

Gelling agent

Recommended applications

Technical specification

Legal & compliance notes

Import classification data

Also in Hydrocolloids

Sodium Alginate

EU and US regulatory context

Gelling agent

Recommended applications

Technical specification

Legal & compliance notes

Import classification data

Also in Hydrocolloids

Xanthan Gum

Guar Gum

Lecithin (Soy)

Pectin