My diet:

E413 Tragacanth

E413Thickeners & gumsOrigin: Plant
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The short answer
Tragacanth (E413) is a shrub sap used to thicken icing, lozenges and dressings. It is a traditional plant gum and it is considered safe. Xanthan and guar have taken over many of its old jobs because they cost less.
Generally safe

Fine for most people at normal amounts.

E-numberE413
Comes fromPlant
What it doesThickeners & gums
Glycemic index—
Daily limitNot set
Also calledTragacanth, Gum tragacanth

Rules by country

🇺🇸 US FDAApproved
🇪🇺 European UnionApproved
🇨🇦 Health CanadaApproved
CaliforniaNo extra rules

Tragacanth is GRAS in the US and an approved thickener in the EU and Canada. It was a standard gum in confectionery long before xanthan existed. Tragacanth has no numbered daily cap.

Daily limit: Experts haven’t set a number because normal food amounts are far below any level of concern.

What is it?

The gum dissolves into a thick, creamy sol that holds sugar paste and pharmaceutical lozenges. Bakers still use it in sugar flowers because the paste dries hard and stays white.

Where it comes from: Tragacanth is the dried sap of Astragalus shrubs grown in the Middle East. Harvesters cut the stem and collect the ribbons of gum that seep out.

Why it’s in food

  • Sets sugar flowers
  • Thickens lozenges
  • Stabilizes dressings
  • Suspends spices

Often found in

Sugar paste flowersLozengesSalad dressingIce creamSyrupsCanned sauces

Also listed as: Tragacanth, Gum tragacanth, Tragacanth gum

Health & gut impact

Long useConcern

Tragacanth has been eaten for centuries and is GRAS, with no numerical daily limit attached.

21 CFR 184.1351

AllergyUnder study

Rare occupational asthma is reported in people who inhale the powder. Eating the gum in food is a different exposure.

EFSA re-evaluation of tragacanth

Gums for sugar work

For your pantry
Pantry staple

Gum tragacanth powder

The traditional binder for sugar flowers.

Shop tragacanth Opens your country’s Amazon store
Pantry staple

Gum arabic powder

A lighter gum for gloss and pastilles.

Shop gum arabic Opens your country’s Amazon store
Pantry staple

Tylose or CMC powder

A modern sugar-flower gum, if tragacanth is hard to find.

Shop tylose powder Opens your country’s Amazon store

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What can I use instead?

Gum arabic

Ratio: To texture

Best for: Lozenges and gloss

Xanthan gum

Ratio: Use less

Best for: Dressings

Related

More thickeners & gums:

Agar-Agar E406Agar-agar (E406) is a seaweed gel that sets firmer than gelatin. It's safe, vegan, gluten-free, keto and kosher, and is the easiest plant swap for gelatin.Generally safeCarrageenan E407Carrageenan (E407) is a seaweed thickener in plant milks and deli meats. It's approved, but some studies link it to gut inflammation, so people with IBD often avoid it.Use in moderationCassia gum E427Cassia gum (E427) is a seed thickener, not cinnamon. Europe allows it in limited foods. In the US it is mainly a pet-food ingredient. Specs are strict because early batches carried impurities.Use in moderationCellulose Gum (CMC) E466Cellulose gum (E466, CMC) is a thickener made from wood or cotton fiber. It's approved everywhere and fine for most diets, but studies in mice and a small human trial suggest it can disturb gut bacteria.Use in moderation

Common questions

Is tragacanth the same as xanthan gum?

No. Tragacanth is a shrub sap. Xanthan is fermented by bacteria. Both thicken, and xanthan is the one in most bottled dressings now.

Is Tragacanth safe?

Generally safe (90/100). Tragacanth is GRAS in the US and an approved thickener in the EU and Canada. It was a standard gum in confectionery long before xanthan existed. Tragacanth has no numbered daily cap.

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Scientific sources & regulatory citations
  • 21 CFR 184.1351 (US FDA)
  • EFSA OpenFoodTox: E413
  • 21 CFR 184.1351
  • EFSA re-evaluation of tragacanth

INS 413 · CAS 9000-65-1