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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