INS 412 is guar gum, a thickener made from the seeds of the guar bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba). It is one of the workhorse thickeners on Indian packs, especially in ice cream, sauces, and gluten-free baking. It is generally vegan and is permitted by FSSAI for specified food categories.
INS 412 is guar gum, a thickener made from the seeds of the guar bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba). It is one of the workhorse thickeners on Indian packs, especially in ice cream, sauces, and gluten-free baking.
Brands use it because a tiny amount makes ice cream creamier, sauces clingier, and gluten-free dough less crumbly. It works at lower doses than most other thickeners and is plant-based, which suits Indian vegetarian audiences.
INS 412 commonly shows up on Indian packets in these categories:
Guar gum is extracted from the endosperm of guar beans by mechanical processing. No animal product is used in its manufacture.
FSSAI: Permitted by FSSAI as a thickener and stabiliser under Schedule I of the FSS (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations 2011 for specified food categories.
JECFA: ADI 'not specified' established at the 19th JECFA (1975), the modern equivalent meaning normal dietary intake is not a hazard.
On packets, in recipes, and in conversation, INS 412 is also called:
Last verified: 2026-04-29.
This page covers INS 412 one additive at a time. To check a full packet's ingredient list against the same FSSAI / JECFA / EFSA-cited dataset, use the Indian Food Ingredient Checker - paste the whole list and get a per-item verdict plus a composite tone (clear / watch / flag / incomplete).