E413 — Tragacanth
E413 (Tragacanth), a thickener, is rated "safe": no significant concern. A natural gum from astragalus shrubs in the Middle East. Used as a thickener and binder in salad dressings, sauces, and confectionery.
What is Tragacanth?
A natural gum harvested from the dried sap of astragalus shrubs, mostly from Iran. Used to thicken salad dressings, sauces, and decorative icings, and as a binder in lozenges.
What does it do to the body?
Acts as soluble fiber. Very rare reports of asthma or allergic reactions in people who handle large amounts professionally; almost never an issue in food.
What regulators say
EFSA and the FDA both treat it as a safe additive with no numerical acceptable daily intake.
Risk rating: Safe
Cleared by EFSA with no significant concern at typical dietary exposure. Common, well-studied, and not a reason to put a product back on the shelf.