methyl cellulose
Function: Thickeners
E461 is the European food-additive number for methyl cellulose, a thickener used to increase viscosity and give body to a food. methyl cellulose (E461) is a chemical compound derived from cellulose.
What is E461 used for?
methyl cellulose (E461) is a thickener used to increase viscosity and give body to a food. It is added during food production for a technological purpose rather than for nutrition. See all Thickeners (E-numbers).
Is E461 safe or restricted?
E461 is an approved food additive in the EU and currently carries no special regulatory restrictions in the EU additive register. Forkin classifies it as “No known concern” and does not make health claims. See the methodology for how regulatory levels are assigned, or the guide to how EU additives are approved, re-evaluated and banned.
Is E461 vegan or vegetarian?
methyl cellulose (E461) is typically produced from plant, mineral, or synthetic sources, so it is generally suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
The production source can vary between manufacturers. The Forkin app shows product-specific vegan and vegetarian signals where available, based on ingredient and label data. Always read the label for allergens.
Which foods contain E461?
E461 appears in 8,595 of the 5.0 million products in Forkin's catalogue, most often in Plant Burger Patty, Meat Alternatives, and Veggie Sausage.
- Plant Burger Patty1,219
- Meat Alternatives981
- Veggie Sausage316
- Prepared Vegetarian Meals308
- Frozen Meals289
- Sausages271
- Sorbet207
- Frozen Fish & Seafood203
Often appears alongside
Additives most frequently found in the same ingredient lists as E461 across the catalogue.
Counts reflect Forkin's independently enriched product catalogue and update as new products are added. They are not a market-share statistic.
Frequently asked questions about E461
- What is E461?
- E461 is the E-number for methyl cellulose, a thickener used to increase viscosity and give body to a food. methyl cellulose (E461) is a chemical compound derived from cellulose.
- What is E461 used for?
- methyl cellulose (E461) is a thickener used to increase viscosity and give body to a food. Manufacturers add it during processing rather than for nutrition. The Forkin app shows which products in your scan history actually contain it.
- Which foods contain E461?
- E461 appears in 8,595 of the 5.0 million products in Forkin's catalogue, most often in Plant Burger Patty, Meat Alternatives, and Veggie Sausage. Scan any barcode with the Forkin app to see instantly whether a specific product contains it.
- Is E461 vegan or vegetarian?
- methyl cellulose (E461) is typically produced from plant, mineral, or synthetic sources, so it is generally suitable for vegans and vegetarians. The Forkin app shows product-specific vegan and vegetarian signals where available, based on ingredient and label data, since the source can vary between manufacturers.
- Is E461 safe, and is it banned anywhere?
- E461 is an approved food additive in the EU and currently carries no special regulatory restrictions in the EU additive register. Forkin classifies it as ‘No known concern’ and does not make health claims. See the methodology page for how regulatory levels are assigned, and the Forkin app for the full profile, including acceptable daily intake (ADI) and restrictions by country.