Is guar gum (E412) halal?

What is E412?

Guar gum is the ground endosperm of seeds of the guar plant, a bean crop grown mainly in India and Pakistan. The seeds are split, the germ is sifted off, and the endosperm is dehulled and milled into a fine powder that binds a lot of water.

Why it's marked “Generally halal”

Guar gum is simply a milled seed product, much like a flour, and no animal material is used. Some purified grades are washed with alcohol, which is driven off in drying, so the additive is generally regarded as halal.

How to check the label

No special check is needed. It may appear as E412, guar gum or guar flour, usually near the end of the ingredients list.

Where you'll find it

• ice cream
• sauces and dressings
• gluten-free baking
• soups
• dairy desserts

Good to know

• EFSA re-evaluated guar gum in 2017 and found no need for a numerical ADI.
• In 2007, some batches of guar gum from India were found in the EU with high levels of pentachlorophenol (PCP) and dioxins.
• Guar gum taken as granules or pills with too little liquid has caused blockage of the gullet, and EU rules restrict its use in such dehydrated products.

Similar additives

• E410 Locust bean gum (carob) Generally halal
• E414 Gum arabic (acacia gum) Generally halal
• E440 Pectin Generally halal
• E466 Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) Generally halal
• E100 Curcumin Generally halal
• E153 Vegetable carbon Generally halal

See all 89 E-numbers in the halal checker

This list describes where additives usually come from. It isn't a religious ruling, and manufacturers can change their sources. Last reviewed: 14 October 2026.

Sources

1. EFSA re-evaluation of guar gum E412 (2017)
2. EU specifications for food additives, Regulation (EU) No 231/2012

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