Usually vegan. Xanthan gum (E415) is produced by fermenting sugars with the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris, so it is generally vegan. The only caveat is the growth medium, which occasionally uses a dairy- or wheat-derived sugar.
Xanthan gum is a thickener grown by bacteria on sugar. It is almost always vegan, with a rare asterisk over what the bacteria were fed.
Made byBacterial fermentation of sugar
E numberE415
VerdictUsually vegan
Where it hides
Gluten-free baking
Sauces and dressings
Plant milks and ice cream
Cosmetics and toothpaste
What it is
Xanthan gum is a thickener and stabiliser produced not by an animal or a plant directly, but by a microbe fed on sugar.
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It can be produced from simple sugars by fermentation and derives its name from the species of bacteria used, Xanthomonas campestris.
Since the gum itself is a fermentation product, it is vegan. The only wrinkle is what the bacteria are grown on. The sugar substrate is usually corn, wheat, soy or another plant, but can occasionally be lactose from dairy, so a person avoiding all trace animal inputs may want a certified-vegan product. For nearly everyone, xanthan gum is vegan.
Guar gum (E412)Guar gum is a thickener ground from a legume. Bean to powder, there is no animal step anywhere in it.
Gellan gum (E418)Gellan gum is a gelling agent grown by bacteria, not scraped from an animal. It is what keeps the cocoa evenly suspended in your oat milk.
Carrageenan (E407)Carrageenan is a thickener pulled from red seaweed. It has its critics on other grounds, but the vegan question is not one of them.
Frequently asked
Is xanthan gum animal-derived?
No. It is made by bacteria fermenting sugar, so the gum itself is not an animal product. The rare caveat is that the sugar feedstock can occasionally be dairy-derived.
Is xanthan gum gluten-free?
The gum is gluten-free, though it can be grown on a wheat-derived medium. Certified gluten-free xanthan gum is widely available for those who need it.
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