Is xanthan gum bad for you?
xanthan gum is fine in normal amounts, but not one to overdo. A widely used thickener made by bacterial fermentation. Standard in gluten-free baking, dressings, sauces, and many ready meals.
Is xanthan gum actually harmful?
Acts as soluble fiber in your gut. Large amounts can be laxative or cause gas. Safe at food levels; the only caution is for premature infants, where high doses in feed thickeners caused serious gut problems in the early 2010s.
What do regulators say?
EFSA and the FDA both treat it as a safe additive with no numerical acceptable daily intake. EFSA flagged caution for use in infants in 2017.
So should you avoid it?
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.
For the full reference on xanthan gum, including what it is and where it turns up, see the E415 page. Or scan a product and Yuzu tells you if it's inside.