Etilmetil selüloz

Detailed information

What it is & how it is made

A product derived from cellulose. Cellulose is obtained from fibrous plant material such as cotton linters and wood pulp; ethyl methyl cellulose is produced by etherifying the hydroxyl groups of cellulose with both methyl and ethyl groups.

Where it is used

EFSA notes that the cellulose group is used as stabilisers, emulsifiers, thickeners, humectants, anticaking agents, foaming agents, bulking agents, gelling agents and glazing agents. Celluloses are permitted in 84 food categories under Annexes II and III of EU Regulation 1333/2008; the Turkish Food Codex Food Additives Regulation was drawn up in line with that list.

Health note

In its 2018 re-evaluation (EFSA Journal 2018;16(1):5047) EFSA concluded that there was no need for a numerical acceptable daily intake (ADI) for celluloses and identified no safety concern at the reported uses and use levels. The Panel defined an indicative total intake value of around 660-900 mg per kg body weight per day. Modified celluloses are not absorbed intact in the gastrointestinal tract, are not fermented by the gut flora and are excreted in the faeces.

Halal assessment

Its source is plant fibre; the reagents used in etherification are synthetic and no animal input is reported in the production process. The carrier or processing aid in the finished product may differ, so consult the manufacturer's halal certificate for a definitive answer.