Carrageenan
Carrageenan from Chondrus crispus (red seaweed, E407)
Also known as: carrageenan, E407, irish moss extract, red algae gelling agent, lambda carrageenan
This ingredient is classified as unclassified risk (GIRI score: 5.0/10).
Safety Profile
Known Safety Concerns
- Possible GI inflammation and worsening of IBD
- Animal studies show degraded carrageenan causes colonic ulceration
- National Organic Standards Board voted to remove from organic permitted list
- Individuals with IBD should consider avoiding
Contraindications
- Possible GI inflammation and worsening of IBD
- Animal studies show degraded carrageenan causes colonic ulceration
Interactions
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Evidence and Scientific Findings
Ingredient Overview
Carrageenan is a red seaweed polysaccharide used as a gelling agent in vegetarian softgels and food products. The safety of food-grade carrageenan is controversial. Animal studies with degraded carrageenan (poligeenan) showed colonic ulceration and carcinogenesis. Human studies on food-grade carrageenan suggest possible GI inflammation and worsening of inflammatory bowel disease. The National Organic Standards Board voted to remove it from the organic permitted list.
Biological and Chemical Classification
- Scientific Name
- Carrageenan from Chondrus crispus (red seaweed, E407)
Mechanism of Action
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Clinical Evidence of Effectiveness
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Pharmacokinetics
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Recommended Dosage
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
SETI — Scientific Evidence Transparency Index
Executive Summary — Ingredient Assessment
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or RCT)
- Main clinical benefit observed: Excipient
- Evidence consistency: High consistency across studies (100%)
- Possible GI inflammation and worsening of IBD
- Animal studies show degraded carrageenan causes colonic ulceration
- National Organic Standards Board voted to remove from organic permitted list
- Individuals with IBD should consider avoiding
The available scientific evidence for Carrageenan indicates notable safety signals that warrant caution. Use should be considered carefully and monitored, particularly in sensitive populations or alongside other medications.
Total SETI Score
High risk| Evidence quality | 10/40 |
| Evidence consistency | 20/20 |
| Safety signals | 0/20 |
| Study recency | 10/10 |
| Evidence transparency | 10/10 |
Evidence Summary
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or systematic review)
- 0 studies identified benefits or no safety concern (GREEN)
- 10 studies reported limited or advisory safety evidence (YELLOW)
Evidence Policy
Only peer-reviewed scientific literature indexed in PubMed or comparable databases is included in this evaluation. Commercial websites, blogs, and marketing materials are excluded. All references include direct traceable links to source documents.
Last updated: 25 მარ 2026, 13:01
Evidence Distribution
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWDesign, green synthesis and biological evaluation of fluorinated N-acyl sulfonamides as novel anti-inflammatory agents: an in vivo and in silico study. ↗Litim Z et al.. Design, green synthesis and biological evaluation of fluorinated N-acyl sulfonamides as novel anti-inflammatory agents: an in vivo and in silico study.. RSC Adv. 2026. PMID:41878653.PMID 41878653 ↗Journal RSC AdvYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41878653/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWImpatiens shenglanii exerts antithrombotic effects by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/GSK3B signaling pathway and reprogramming arachidonic acid metabolism. ↗Wang S et al.. Impatiens shenglanii exerts antithrombotic effects by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/GSK3B signaling pathway and reprogramming arachidonic acid metabolism.. Fitoterapia. 2026. PMID:41876033.PMID 41876033 ↗Journal FitoterapiaYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41876033/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWSearching for Mechanisms of Analgesic Activity in the Group of 1H-Pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyridine-1,3(2H)-dione Derivatives-In Vitro and In Vivo Studies. ↗Dziubina A et al.. Searching for Mechanisms of Analgesic Activity in the Group of 1H-Pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyridine-1,3(2H)-dione Derivatives-In Vitro and In Vivo Studies.. Methods Protoc. 2026. PMID:41874158.PMID 41874158 ↗Journal Methods ProtocYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41874158/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWDouble-crosslinked carrageenan/gelatin hydrogel loaded with heparin for heart valve tissue engineering applications. ↗Guo C et al.. Double-crosslinked carrageenan/gelatin hydrogel loaded with heparin for heart valve tissue engineering applications.. Biomed Mater. 2026. PMID:41871531.PMID 41871531 ↗Journal Biomed MaterYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41871531/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWElucidating the synergistic interplay between soybean oil and ionic polysaccharides in modulating the gelation behavior of surimi: A molecular perspective. ↗Zheng R et al.. Elucidating the synergistic interplay between soybean oil and ionic polysaccharides in modulating the gelation behavior of surimi: A molecular perspective.. Food Chem. 2026. PMID:41871500.PMID 41871500 ↗Journal Food ChemYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41871500/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWUnlocking the Synergy of Corn Starch and Diverse Gums to Develop Chocolate Fillings: Pre- and Post-Baking Assessment and Application in Croissants. ↗Kumar A et al.. Unlocking the Synergy of Corn Starch and Diverse Gums to Develop Chocolate Fillings: Pre- and Post-Baking Assessment and Application in Croissants.. J Food Sci. 2026. PMID:41866343.PMID 41866343 ↗Journal J Food SciYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41866343/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWStudy on chitosan/carrageenan core-shell nanoparticles for oral co-administration of insulin/exenatide enhance insulin secretion in type 2 diabetes. ↗Nguyen TV et al.. Study on chitosan/carrageenan core-shell nanoparticles for oral co-administration of insulin/exenatide enhance insulin secretion in type 2 diabetes.. Int J Biol Macromol. 2026. PMID:41865922.PMID 41865922 ↗Journal Int J Biol MacromolYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41865922/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWGreen fabrication and wound repair evaluation of carrageenan-based composite antibacterial hydrogel. ↗Qiao J et al.. Green fabrication and wound repair evaluation of carrageenan-based composite antibacterial hydrogel.. Int J Biol Macromol. 2026. PMID:41865921.PMID 41865921 ↗Journal Int J Biol MacromolYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41865921/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWIn vitro, in vivo, and in silico profiling of optimized hydrazide-hydrazone indole congeners as multi-faceted AChE, BACE1, and MAO-B inhibitors for Alzheimer's… ↗Said MF et al.. In vitro, in vivo, and in silico profiling of optimized hydrazide-hydrazone indole congeners as multi-faceted AChE, BACE1, and MAO-B inhibitors for Alzheimer's disease therapy.. Bioorg Chem. 2026. PMID:41865568.PMID 41865568 ↗Journal Bioorg ChemYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41865568/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWImpact of sonication and sodium chloride on the interaction and gelation behavior of soy protein isolate/u03ba-carrageenan mixtures. ↗Chen L et al.. Impact of sonication and sodium chloride on the interaction and gelation behavior of soy protein isolate/u03ba-carrageenan mixtures.. Food Chem. 2026. PMID:41865524.PMID 41865524 ↗Journal Food ChemYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41865524/
Score Transparency
0 of 10 approved references (score saturates at 10). More peer-reviewed studies = stronger evidence base.
Method: Q = number of approved references ÷ 10 (capped at 1.0)
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies
Method: L = mean study-level weight across approved references. Level 1 (meta-analysis / systematic review) = 1.0; Level 2 (RCT) = 0.8; Level 3 (cohort/case-control) = 0.6; Level 4 (case report) = 0.4; Level 5 (animal / in-vitro) = 0.2.
Mixed or neutral — roughly equal benefit and risk signals
Method: D = (sum of risk-scored references − sum of benefit-scored references) ÷ total evidence score, then scaled from [−1, 1] to [0, 1]. 0.0 = pure benefit; 0.5 = neutral; 1.0 = pure risk.
One or more monitoring-level safety signals active
Method: S = 0.5 (neutral baseline) + sum of active signal severity deltas ÷ 10. Severity deltas: Critical = +2.0, High = +1.5, Moderate = +1.0, Low = +0.5. Capped at 1.0.
Final GIRI Score for Carrageenan. Risk level thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
Full methodology & data sources
The GIRI Score is computed entirely from structured data — no editorial scoring or subjective weighting is applied at any step.
- References: Only approved references are counted. Each reference is assigned an evidence level (L1–L5) and a direction (risk / neutral / benefit) by the reference manager or AI classifier.
- Safety Signals: Sourced from regulatory agencies (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others) and pharmacovigilance databases. Only active signals count toward the score.
- Formula version: GIRI Score v3.7.0 — Q × L × D × S × 10.
- Limitations: The score reflects published evidence and recorded signals as of the last update date. It is not a clinical risk assessment and should not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Risk Level Classification
Based on available regulatory signals and scientific evidence, this ingredient presents a moderate safety concern. Caution is advised, particularly at high doses or in sensitive populations.
0–3.0
3.0–5.5
5.5–7.5
7.5–10
The score pin shows exactly where this ingredient falls on the fixed risk scale.
What drove the Moderate classification for Carrageenan
A score of 5.0 places this ingredient in the Moderate band. Thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
0 approved references.
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies (Level 4–5).
Neutral or mixed — benefit and risk signals roughly balanced.
No active signals — S component is at neutral baseline (0.5), contributing no extra risk weight.
No major regulatory restrictions or advisories recorded across monitored jurisdictions (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others).
How are the Low / Moderate / High / Critical thresholds defined?
The four risk levels are fixed score bands. A score is assigned to exactly one level based on where it falls:
| Level | Score | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| LOW | 0.0 – 2.9 | Sparse or predominantly beneficial evidence. No active safety alerts. |
| MODERATE | 3.0 – 5.4 | Mixed signals — some risk alongside benefit. Caution at high doses or in sensitive groups. |
| HIGH | 5.5 – 7.4 | Multiple studies or regulatory alerts documenting adverse effects. Professional oversight recommended. |
| CRITICAL | 7.5 – 10 | Regulatory restrictions in one or more major jurisdictions. Serious documented harm. Avoid without specialist supervision. |
Thresholds are fixed constants (GIRI_Score_Utils::LEVEL_THRESHOLDS). They do not change per ingredient and are never subject to editorial adjustment.