E440 Pectin

E440Thickeners & gumsOrigin: Plant

Get a personal answer

Pick your family’s diets in the bar above.

Every diet

VeganYes

Made from fruit.

Gluten-freeYes

HalalYes

KosherYes

KetoYes

A fiber, but jams made with it are high in sugar.

Low-FODMAPYes

Fine in the amounts used to set jam.

The short answer

Pectin (E440) is a fruit fiber that sets jam. It's one of the safest additives there is: vegan, gluten-free, halal and kosher.

97/100

Generally safe

Fine for most people at normal amounts.

E-numberE440

Comes fromPlant

What it doesThickeners & gums

Glycemic index—

Daily limitNot set

Also calledFruit pectin, Apple pectin

Rules by country

🇺🇸 US FDAApproved

🇪🇺 European UnionApproved

🇨🇦 Health CanadaApproved

CaliforniaNo extra rules

Approved everywhere with no daily limit.

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

What is it?

Pectin is the natural fiber that makes fruit hold its shape. Food makers extract it from citrus peel and apples to set jams and jellies.

Where it comes from: Extracted from citrus peel or apple pulp left over from juice making.

Why it’s in food

Sets jam and jelly
Stabilizes yogurt drinks
Makes gummies chewy

Often found in

JamFruit gummiesYogurtFruit fillings

Also listed as: Fruit pectin, Apple pectin, Citrus pectin, Amidated pectin

Health & gut impact

FiberBenefit

A soluble fiber that may help lower cholesterol.

EFSA Journal 15(7):4866 (2017)

AllergyConcern

Rarely, people with cashew allergy react to citrus pectin.

EFSA (2017)

What can I use instead?

Chia seeds

Ratio: 1 tbsp per cup of fruit

Best for: Quick refrigerator jam

Agar-agar

Ratio: 1/2 tsp per cup

Best for: Firm jellies

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 safe Carrageenan 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 moderation GelatinGelatin is made from pig, cow or fish parts, so it is never vegan. It's only halal or kosher when certified, because most unlabeled gelatin comes from pork.Generally safe Guar Gum E412Guar gum (E412) is a bean-based thickener. It's safe, vegan, gluten-free and keto-friendly, and works best in cold foods like ice cream.Generally safe

Common questions

Is Pectin safe?

Generally safe (97/100). Approved everywhere with no daily limit.

Is Pectin vegan?

Yes. Made from fruit.

Is Pectin gluten-free?

Yes.

Spotted a mistake on this page? Report it ›

Scientific sources & regulatory citations

21 CFR 184.1588 (US FDA)
EFSA OpenFoodTox: E440
EFSA Journal 15(7):4866 (2017)
EFSA (2017)

Last checked against FDA, EFSA and Health Canada records: October 31, 2026 · INS 440 · CAS 9000-69-5