---
kind: "section"
citation: "21 C.F.R. § 172.695"
title: "21"
number: "172.695"
heading: "Xanthan gum."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/21/172.695"
---

# §172.695. Xanthan gum.


The food additive xanthan gum may be safely used in food in accordance with the following prescribed conditions:

- (a) The additive is a polysaccharide gum derived from Xanthomonas campestris by a pure-culture fermentation process and purified by recovery with isopropyl alcohol. It contains D-glucose, D-mannose, and D-glucuronic acid as the dominant hexose units and is manufactured as the sodium, potassium, or calcium salt.
- (b) **The strain of <I>Xanthomonas campestris</I> is nonpathogenic and nontoxic in man or other animals.**
- (c) The additive is produced by a process that renders it free of viable cells of Xanthomonas campestris.
- (d) **The additive meets the following specifications—**
  - (1) **Residual isopropyl alcohol not to exceed 750 parts per million.**
  - (2) An aqueous solution containing 1 percent of the additive and 1 percent of potassium chloride stirred for 2 hours has a minimum viscosity of 600 centipoises at 75 °F, as determined by Brookfield Viscometer, Model LVF (or equivalent), using a No. 3 spindle at 60 r.p.m., and the ratio of viscosities at 75 °F and 150 °F is in the range of 1.02 to 1.45.
  - (3) **Positive for xanthan gum when subjected to the following procedure—**
  - (4) **Positive for xanthan gum when subjected to the following procedure—**
- (e) The additive is used or intended for use in accordance with good manufacturing practice as a stabilizer, emulsifier, thickener, suspending agent, bodying agent, or foam enhancer in foods for which standards of identity established under section 401 of the Act do not preclude such use.
- (f) **To assure safe use of the additive—**
  - (1) The label of its container shall bear, in addition to other information required by the Act, the name of the additive and the designation “food grade”.
  - (2) The label or labeling of the food additive container shall bear adequate directions for use.

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321, 341, 342, 348, 371, 379e.

### Source

Source: 42 FR 14491, Mar. 15, 1977, unless otherwise noted.