INS 412 is the code for guar gum
Ground guar bean, grown largely in Rajasthan. Thickens sauces, ice cream and baked goods.
- What it does
- Thickens it A thickener
- Also printed as
- Guaran
- Vegetarian?
- Vegetarian From plants
- In the Zabel score
- Takes no points off Method 1.0.0
- In our catalogue
- 252 packs List it in their ingredients
Is INS 412 vegetarian?
INS 412 is from plants, so it does not by itself make a food non-vegetarian. The green or brown mark on the pack is still the declaration to go by, because it covers every other ingredient too.
| Food category | Share | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| Ice cream and frozen desserts | 38% | |
| Noodles and pasta | 31% | |
| Biscuits and cookies | 6% | |
| Milk and dairy drinks | 6% | |
| Bread and buns | 5% | |
| Everything else | 14% |
Counted from the 252 packs in Zabel's catalogue that list INS 412, 237 of which have a food category so far. Counted 4 Nov 2026.
What does the evidence say about INS 412?
We grade an additive by the evidence about it, not by whether it sounds like a chemical, and we make no claim about whether a pack complies with FSSAI rules.
No numerical limit and no identified concern at food levels. It is a soluble fibre and a FODMAP, so large amounts can cause bloating in people with irritable bowel syndrome.
Does Zabel mark INS 412 down?
No. On the evidence we hold it takes nothing off the score (method 1.0.0). Read the method.
Questions people search
What is INS 412?
INS 412 is the code for guar gum, a thickener. Ground guar bean, grown largely in Rajasthan. Thickens sauces, ice cream and baked goods.
Is INS 412 vegetarian?
INS 412 is from plants, so it does not by itself make a food non-vegetarian. The green or brown mark on the pack is still the declaration to go by, because it covers every other ingredient too.
What does the evidence say about INS 412?
No numerical limit and no identified concern at food levels. It is a soluble fibre and a FODMAP, so large amounts can cause bloating in people with irritable bowel syndrome.
Does Zabel mark INS 412 down?
No. On the evidence we hold it takes nothing off the score (method 1.0.0).
What other names is INS 412 printed under?
Packs also print it as Guaran, or as the bare number 412 in brackets after the ingredient.
Sources
- 01 Evaluations of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) WHO / FAO, 2024
- 02 Zabel catalogue - pack counts, food categories and the codes printed alongside 4 Nov 2026
Entry updated 19 Sep 2026 · Not reviewed by a dietitian yet · Report an error on this page
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