Restricted: EWG VERIFIED products cannot contain this ingredient without adequate substantiation

PROS

CONS

SYNONYMS

● ACETIC ACID, HYDROXY-, CELLULOSE ETHER

● CARBOXYMETHYL CELLULOSE

● CARBOXYMETHYL ETHER CELLULOSE

● CARBOXYMETHYLCELLULOSE

● CARBOXYMETHYLCELLULOSE SODIUM SALT

● CELLULOSE ETHER ACETIC ACID, HYDROXY-

● CELLULOSE GUM

● CELLULOSE, CARBOXYMETHYL ETHER

● CELLULOSE, CARBOXYMETHYL ETHER, SODIUM SALT

● CELLULOSE, ETHER WITH GLYCOLIC ACID, SODIUM SALT

● ETHER WITH GLYCOLIC ACID SODIUM SALT CELLULOSE

● HYDROXY- CELLULOSE ETHER ACETIC ACID

● SODIUM CARBOXYMETHYL CELLULOSE

● SODIUM CARBOXYMETHYLCELLULOSE

● SODIUM CARMELLOSE

● SODIUM CMC

● SODIUM SALT CELLULOSE, ETHER WITH GLYCOLIC ACID

Cellulose gum, also known as carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), is essentially a thickening agent used in all kinds of food products.

Many low fat products and those marketed as diet products contain food additives like cellulose gum to give the food a thicker and creamier consistency, making it more appealing to buyers.

Cellulose gum may also help extend the shelf-life of certain foods and fruits (1).

According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), this type of additive can improve texture, stabilize foam, keep sugar from crystallizing, bind water, and more (2).

Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium

PubChem CID: Not available because this is not a discrete structure.

A cellulose derivative which is a beta-(1,4)-D-glucopyranose polymer. It is used as a bulk laxative and as an emulsifier and thickener in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals and as a stabilizer for reagents.

This ingredient is a chemically-treated cellulose derivative.

CMC is used as a viscosity modifier or thickener, and to stabilize emulsions in various products, both food and non-food. It is used primarily because it has high viscosity, is nontoxic, and is generally considered to be hypoallergenic, as the major source fiber is either softwood pulp or cotton linter.