Is Carboxymethyl Cellulose(CMC) allowed in organic food?
2026-04-13 10:48:58
Is Carboxymethyl Cellulose(CMC) allowed in organic food?
No,CMC(E466/cellulose gum)is generally NOT allowed in certified organic food under major global standards(USDA,EU,Codex,China GB/T 19630).
Why CMC is excluded from organic
Organic rules ban chemically modified cellulose derivatives.CMC is made by reacting cellulose with caustic soda+chloroacetic acid(synthetic chemical modification)—not a"natural extract."
Organic-approved alternatives(thickeners/stabilizers)
Natural gums:Guar gum,locust bean gum,arabic gum,carrageenan
Natural fibers:Pectin,agar,konjac,inulin
Native starches(organic origin)
Key standards
USDA Organic(7 CFR§205):CMC is not on the National List of allowed synthetic additives.
EU Organic(EC 834/2007):Only non-modified natural hydrocolloids permittedFood and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
China Organic(GB/T 19630):Forbids chemically modified cellulose in organic food.
Codex Alimentarius:CMC(INS 466)is not approved for organic foodFood and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Exception
Non-certified"organic-style"foods:May use CMC,but cannot carry official organic seals.
Bottom line:If a product carries a USDA Organic/EU Organic/China Organic logo,it cannot contain CMC.
References
GB/T 7714
European Commission.Regulation(EC)No 834/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council on organic production and labelling of organic products[J].Official Journal of the European Union,2007,L189:1–23.
MLA
European Commission."Regulation(EC)No 834/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council on Organic Production and Labelling of Organic Products."Official Journal of the European Union,vol.L189,2007,pp.1–23.
APA
European Commission.(2007).Regulation(EC)No 834/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council on organic production and labelling of organic products.Official Journal of the European Union,L189,1–23.
