What is gellan gum?

Do you ever look at an ingredient label and wonder, “what is that?” Gellan gum is a nature-based ingredient that was discovered in the 70s. It was found growing in a pond in Pennsylvania as a byproduct created by certain bacteria. It was then duplicated through fermentation. You know, the same way beer is made and yogurt and kombucha. It turns out that gellan gum has some unique abilities. It forms a gel-like substance that keeps food and beverage products from settling and separating.

Gellan gum is especially helpful for creating vegan-friendly products like plant milks and other products like plant-based yogurts and cheeses, giving them a smooth consistency. If you ever tried to make chocolate milk at home, you’ve seen what happens when you try to add cocoa powder. It sinks to the bottom of the glass and clumps together. Gellan gum holds all the ingredients together, so they stay blended. You don’t even have to shake it.

It also works hard to stabilize added vitamins, minerals and botanicals, such as calcium, protein, or pieces of fruit, without changing the natural color or flavor. Gellan gum can also be used to create all kinds of gummy candies that are not only vegan but kosher and halal, too. And it isn’t sensitive to heat either, so your candy won’t stick together and melt. But is gellan gum really safe? Yes.

Gellan gum is a naturally derived, soluble dietary fiber. Both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Food Safety Authority have given their approval for gellan gum to be added to food and other products. So raise a glass to gellan gum. It’s working hard behind the scenes to help stabilize and texturize your favorite foods.