E464 — Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose
E464 (Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose), a thickener, is rated "watch": fine in moderation. A modified plant fiber used as a binder in gluten-free baking, plant-based meats, and pharmaceutical capsules.
What is Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose?
Plant cellulose modified to be water-soluble and form gels when heated. Used as a binder in gluten-free baking, plant-based meat alternatives, and as the wall of many vegetarian capsules.
What does it do to the body?
Acts as soluble fiber and passes through largely undigested. Very large doses can be laxative. No realistic safety concern.
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.