Guar gum is safe for all animal species at proposed maximum concentrations in complete feed, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded in a scientific opinion published on 29 July 2026. The assessment, requested by the European Commission, resolves previous uncertainties about the additive's genotoxic potential and its safety for long-living and reproductive animals, clearing the way for renewed EU authorisation.
The opinion, adopted on 30 June 2026 by EFSA's Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP), evaluated supplementary data submitted by the applicant, the Association for International Promotion of Gums (AIPG). In a prior 2022 opinion, the Panel had been unable to conclude on guar gum's safety for long-living and reproductive animals, its safety for users, and its efficacy as an emulsifier, due to missing data on genotoxicity and tolerance studies. The new submission included original reports of genotoxicity studies previously assessed by EFSA's ANS Panel in 2017, which had concluded no genotoxic concern, and two tolerance studies in dogs and cats.
Based on the new data, the FEEDAP Panel concluded that guar gum does not raise concerns for genotoxicity. The Panel reviewed in vitro tests including Ames tests and a micronucleus test in human lymphocytes, which showed no increase in gene mutations or chromosomal damage. Tolerance studies in dogs and cats confirmed safety at the proposed use levels. The additive, a polysaccharide derived from the guar plant, is intended as a technological feed additive (emulsifier, stabiliser, thickener, gelling agent) for all animal species with no minimum or maximum content. The opinion establishes maximum safe concentrations for various species, ranging from 280 mg/kg feed for chickens to 1150 mg/kg for veal calves, and confirms safety for long-living and reproductive animals.
The positive opinion removes a key regulatory hurdle for the additive's continued use in the EU. The European Commission will now consider the opinion in its authorisation decision under Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003. The assessment also noted that guar gum is safe for consumers and the environment, and that the additive is efficacious as a gelling agent, thickener, and stabiliser for canned pet feed, though efficacy as an emulsifier remains unconfirmed.