E461 — Methyl cellulose
E461 (Methyl cellulose), a thickener, is rated "watch": fine in moderation. A modified plant fiber used as a thickener and binder. Common in plant-based meat substitutes, sauces, and laxatives.
What is Methyl cellulose?
Plant cellulose chemically modified to be water-soluble and thicken when heated. Used in plant-based burger patties (to hold them together), sauces, ice cream, and bulk-fiber laxatives.
What does it do to the body?
Acts as soluble fiber. Mostly unabsorbed; adds bulk to stool. No realistic safety concern; very large doses can be laxative.
What regulators say
EFSA and the FDA both treat the cellulose ether family as safe with no numerical acceptable daily intake.
Risk rating: Watch
Mixed evidence or a specific concern (gut, allergy, or contested safety data). Not alarming, but worth keeping an eye on rather than eating without limit.