Alternate Names

St. John's Bread, Carob Bean Gum, Gum Locust Bean

Description

Substance extracted from the seed of the carob bean tree which is native to the Mediterranean and Middle East. The FDA specifies maximum usage levels permitted in specific foods.

Additional Information

Locust seeds are also used as animal feed. Some studies indicate that locust bean gum may be useful as a dietary treatment of diabetes because it slows the rate of food passage from stomach into the small intestine (helps to regulates glucose levels).

Found In

ice cream, candy, cheese, infant formula, baked goods, baking mixes, beverages, gelatins, pudding, pie filling, jam, jelly

Possible Health Effects

See additional information section

Allergy Information

Unknown

Online Resources/Related

• US Food And Drug Administration, Code of Federal Regulations Title 21: Locust (carob) bean gum, Revised April 1, 2009, US Food and Drug Administration
• International Programme on Chemical Safety, Carob (locust) bean gum (WHO Food Additives Series 16) , 1969-1975, Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives
• Journal of Nutrition, Effects of Locust Bean Gum on Glucose Tolerance, Sugar Digestion, and Gastric Motility in Rats, 1981, Alan C. Tsai and Becky Peng

Print Resources

• Winter, Ruth. A Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives, 7th Edition: Descriptions in Plain English of More Than 12,000 Ingredients Both Harmful and Desirable Found in Foods. Three Rivers Press, 2009
• Statham, Bill. Eat Safe: The Truth about Additives from Aspartame to Xanthan Gum. Running Press, 2008
• Minich, Deanna M. An A-Z Guide to Food Additives: Never Eat What You Can't Pronounce. Conari Press, 2009
• Farlow, Christine Hoza, D.C.Food Additives: A Shopper's Guide To What's Safe & What's Not. KISS For Health Publishing, 2007 Revised Edition

Copyright September 7, 2010 Be Food Smart