Food thickeners and gums, rated
Thickeners give food body and stop it separating, and the good news is simple: as a group they are among the least concerning additives. Of the 24 here, just 1 is rated avoid. Most of the gums land on watch for digestive reasons, not toxicity, and 12 are rated safe outright.
The gums (xanthan, guar, locust bean and the rest) are mostly soluble fibres. In large amounts they can cause bloating or a laxative effect, which is why they sit on watch, but that is a comfort issue rather than a safety one. The single avoid here is a synthetic cellulose, flagged for the same gut-lining questions raised about some emulsifiers.
Avoid · 1
Known or suspected to cause harm: a substance EFSA or another regulator has flagged, or one restricted in some jurisdictions. Best kept out of a regular diet.
Watch · 11
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.
Safe · 12
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.