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E402 Potassium Alginate – Food Additive

E402 (Potassium Alginate) is a plant-based food additive used as a thickener, stabilizer, and gelling agent. It is derived from brown seaweed and is considered safe for consumption.

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Things worth knowing about "E402"

E402 (Potassium Alginate) is a plant-based food additive used as a thickener, stabilizer, and gelling agent. It is derived from brown seaweed and is considered safe for consumption.

What is E402 (Potassium Alginate)?

E402 is the EU approval number for Potassium Alginate, a naturally occurring polysaccharide extracted from brown seaweed (e.g., species of Laminaria). It is the potassium salt of alginic acid and belongs to the group of alginates. In the food industry, it is primarily used as a thickener, gelling agent, and stabilizer.

Origin and Production

Alginates are extracted from the cell walls of brown seaweed. Potassium alginate is produced by neutralizing alginic acid — obtained from seaweed — with potassium hydroxide or potassium carbonate. The resulting potassium salt is readily soluble in water and forms viscous gels in aqueous solutions.

Use in Food Products

E402 is used in a wide range of food products, including:

Dairy products (e.g., yogurt, desserts, ice cream)
Baked goods and confectionery
Dressings, sauces, and soups
Diet products and food supplements
Meat and fish products

Potassium alginate improves texture, prevents water separation (syneresis), and extends the shelf life of food products.

Mechanism of Action

As a hydrocolloid, potassium alginate is capable of binding large amounts of water. In the presence of multivalent cations (e.g., calcium), it forms stable gels. Unlike the closely related sodium alginate (E401), E402 supplies potassium rather than sodium to the body, which may be relevant for certain population groups.

Safety and Tolerability

Potassium alginate is considered safe by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and is classified as Generally Recognised As Safe. It is not digestible and is not absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, being excreted unchanged. E402 is well tolerated by most people. However, individuals with kidney disease or potassium sensitivity should be cautious about elevated intake, as the additive does contribute to dietary potassium.

Labelling and Regulatory Status

E402 is approved in the European Union under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives. It must be declared in the ingredient list either as E402 or as Potassium Alginate. The additive is also approved in many other countries worldwide, including the USA, Canada, and Australia.

References

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA): Re-evaluation of alginic acid and its sodium, potassium, ammonium and calcium salts (E 400-404) as food additives. EFSA Journal, 2017.
European Commission: Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on food additives. Official Journal of the European Union, 2008.
Imeson, A. (ed.): Food Stabilisers, Thickeners and Gelling Agents. Wiley-Blackwell, 2010.

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