Altrafine Gums: Compliant with EU 2026/196 Regulations for Guar Gum (E412) and Ensuring the Highest Standards of Quality
Table of Contents
Introduction
As the global demand for guar gum continues to rise, Altrafine Gums stands at the forefront of the industry, committed to providing high-quality guar gum products while ensuring full regulatory compliance with evolving safety standards. In response to the EU 2026/196 Regulation, which amends the European Union’s regulations on food additives like Guar Gum (E412), Altrafine Gums continues to adhere to the strictest standards of safety, quality, and manufacturing processes to meet the highest industry requirements. With a legacy of over 40 years in manufacturing and supplying guar gum powder to multiple industries globally, Altrafine Gums remains a trusted name for food and beverage manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, and other industrial applications.
Altrafine Gums is well known for its commitment to product purity and safety standards, making sure that all its guar gum products meet the regulatory requirements across diverse markets. Our unwavering focus on regulatory compliance is what sets us apart in the competitive global market for natural gums.
Understanding the New EU Regulation (EU 2026/196)
On 28 January 2026, the European Commission introduced the EU 2026/196 Regulation, amending the existing Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, which governs the use of food additives within the European Union. This regulation impacts various additives, including Guar Gum (E412), with an emphasis on improving safety standards, particularly when used in products intended for vulnerable groups like infants and young children.
One of the key updates in the regulation includes tighter specifications for purity, stricter residue limits, and recommendations regarding acceptable daily intake (ADI), although no specific ADI has been set for guar gum. Despite these advancements, the EU regulations continue to recognize Guar Gum (E412) as a safe food additive when used within approved limits.
The EU 2026/196 Regulation also brings changes regarding the safety of guar gum in food products for young children and medical foods. Although guar gum has been safely used in food products for years, there are growing concerns about its gastrointestinal effects when consumed by infants and children. As such, stricter usage guidelines have been introduced for guar gum in food products intended for these groups.
Altrafine Gums: Meeting EU 2026/196 Regulation Standards
At Altrafine Gums, we have always been dedicated to providing guar gum products that meet both global quality standards and regional regulatory requirements. With the updated EU regulations, we have taken proactive steps to ensure our products fully comply with the new specifications.
Purity and Contaminant Control
Our guar gum powder is manufactured in state-of-the-art facilities that adhere to the latest EU standards. Altrafine ensures strict quality control at every stage of production, from sourcing raw guar beans to final product testing. We maintain high standards for microbial contamination, heavy metal limits, and other residues that are critical for maintaining the purity and safety of our products.
Microbial Testing and Heavy Metal Analysis
As part of our commitment to regulatory compliance, we implement routine testing for microbial content, ensuring that all products meet the EU-required levels of cleanliness. Our guar gum also undergoes heavy metal testing to ensure that the product is free from contaminants such as lead, arsenic, and cadmium, which are subject to strict EU regulations.

Our guar gum meets the European Commission’s maximum allowed levels for contaminants, making it suitable for use in both food and pharmaceutical applications.
How the New EU Regulation Affects Guar Gum in Food Products?
The new regulations specifically target the use of guar gum in vulnerable food categories, with a special focus on baby foods, medical foods, and infant nutrition. As guar gum is a powerful thickening agent and stabilizer, it is commonly used in beverages, dairy products, and sauces; however, there are now stricter guidelines for these products when intended for young children.
Infant Nutrition and Medical Foods
While Guar Gum (E412) remains approved for use in a wide range of food products, the regulation outlines specific restrictions for its use in products targeted at infants or young children. Altrafine Gums has responded to these changes by ensuring that all our products used in medical foods and baby foods are tested for gastrointestinal safety and meet the highest quality standards required for vulnerable populations.
The regulation reflects the growing concern regarding the safety of guar gum for infants and young children. These groups have underdeveloped digestive systems, and products containing guar gum may cause gastrointestinal discomfort. For medical foods and infant nutrition, the regulation emphasizes safety precautions for manufacturers to ensure that guar gum is used only in safe quantities and under strict quality control conditions.
Why Choose Altrafine for Guar Gum (E412)?
Altrafine Gums is a trusted manufacturer and supplier of guar gum powder, consistently meeting international standards, including the new EU 2026/196 Regulation. Our products provide reliable functional benefits for industries ranging from food and beverage to pharmaceuticals. Here’s why Altrafine stands out:
- Quality Assurance: We maintain strict quality control over all stages of production to guarantee purity, safety, and consistency in every batch. Each product is tested under the highest safety standards.
- Regulatory Compliance: Altrafine Gums is committed to ensuring that our products meet all the necessary regulatory requirements, including the new EU 2026/196 regulations.
- Global Reach: As an exporter to over 30 countries, we serve major food manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies across Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
- Custom Solutions: Whether you need a fast-hydrating guar gum or a specific grade for your formulation, Altrafine offers tailored solutions to meet your needs, ensuring compliance with regional regulations.
Altrafine Gums’ Commitment to Safety and Quality
Altrafine Gums understands the importance of maintaining the highest safety standards, especially with the evolving regulatory landscape in Europe. Our team continuously monitors regulatory updates and implements changes to our manufacturing processes and product testing protocols to ensure full compliance.
Our guar gum products undergo routine testing for microbial content, heavy metals, and other contaminants. Each product is accompanied by Certificates of Analysis (COA), which clearly outline the test results and ensure compliance with EU regulations.
We are committed to offering transparent and reliable solutions to our clients, ensuring that every batch of guar gum is of the highest quality and fully compliant with international standards.
Conclusion
At Altrafine Gums, we pride ourselves on our ability to provide safe, high-quality guar gum products that meet the evolving standards set by regulatory bodies like the European Commission. With the introduction of EU 2026/196, we remain committed to product safety and quality assurance in the face of new challenges, especially those concerning vulnerable populations.
As a trusted supplier to the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries, Altrafine continues to lead with innovation, compliance, and customer-focused service. We invite you to connect with us today to learn more about our products and how we can support your business with the safest, most reliable guar gum solutions.
FAQs About Guar Gum (E412)
What is Guar Gum (E412) and how is it used in food products?
Guar gum (E412) is a natural thickening and stabilizing agent widely used in the food industry. It is commonly found in dairy products, sauces, beverages, and baked goods to improve texture and consistency.
How does the new EU 2026/196 Regulation impact the use of Guar Gum (E412)?
The EU 2026/196 Regulation focuses on increased safety standards, especially for infant foods and medical foods, where guar gum use is restricted due to potential gastrointestinal effects in vulnerable populations.
Is Altrafine Gums compliant with the new EU regulations for Guar Gum?
Yes, Altrafine Gums ensures all of our guar gum products meet the latest EU 2026/196 specifications, including purity, safety, and quality standards required for both general and specialized food products.
What measures does Altrafine Gums take to ensure the safety of Guar Gum?
Altrafine Gums implements strict quality control measures, including microbial testing, heavy metal analysis, and residue control to ensure all guar gum products meet EU standards for food safety.
Can Altrafine Gums provide guar gum products for infant foods and medical nutrition?
Yes, Altrafine Gums offers guar gum products specifically tailored for infant foods and medical nutrition, ensuring they are compliant with the strict safety guidelines outlined in the EU 2026/196 regulation.

CEO, Altrafine Gums
With over Four decades of expertise in the natural gums and hydrocolloids industry, Ajit Patel leads Altrafine Gums, a globally recognized manufacturer and exporter of Guar Gum Powder, Cassia Tora Powder (Cassia Gum Powder) and other Hydrocolloids. Under his visionary leadership, the company has built a strong reputation for quality, innovation, and reliability across the food, feed, pet feed, pharmaceutical, mining, oil drilling and cosmetic sectors.
Altrafine Gums has been serving global industries for decades with a focus on sustainable sourcing, research-driven production, and stringent quality control. Its wide product portfolio includes Guar Gum Powder, Cassia Tora Powder (Cassia Gum Powder) and other plant-based hydrocolloids that serve as key functional ingredients in diverse applications.
Ajit Patel’s commitment to excellence ensures that every product from Altrafine meets international standards of performance and purity. He is passionate about advancing the global reach of Indian hydrocolloids, fostering customer trust, and promoting eco-friendly, science-backed solutions that enhance product formulation and performance worldwide.