No organic agricultural products were identified that could be substituted for gellan gum. However, similar substances listed as non-synthetic non-agricultural (non-organic) substances allowed as ingredients in or on processed products (7 CFR § 205.605(a)) include agar-agar and carrageenan. Synthetic substances
allowed for the same purposes (7 CFR § 205.605(b)) include alginates, pectin (low-methoxy), and xanthan gum. Like gellan gum, carrageenan, pectin, alginate, and agar are all gelling agents (Wanous, 2004). Other thickeners used in foods include arabic (gum acacia), gum carob, gum karaya, and gum tragacanth (Iqbal,1993). Gums approved by the FDA include arabinogalactan and carrageenan. Determining which gum to use in an application greatly depends on the type of functionality needed and the application’s processing parameters.
