Digestoa
Additive · Bulking agent

Cellulose (E460)

Cellulose (E460) is a bulking agent that Digestoa rates as low concern — it's considered safe at the levels used in food.

Digestoa riskLow risk
TypeBulking agent
Found inlow-calorie and 'lite' products, supplements and baked goods

What is Cellulose?

Cellulose (E460) is a bulking agent — used to add bulk with few calories.

Is Cellulose bad for you?

Cellulose is permitted in food and Digestoa rates it as low concern. There's no strong evidence it causes harm at the levels typically used in food.

What foods contain Cellulose?

Low-calorie and 'lite' products, supplements and baked goods.

Digestoa's take

You don't need to avoid Cellulose. It's one of the more benign things on an ingredients list — worth knowing, not worth worrying about.

Safer swaps

Choose less-processed products with short, recognisable ingredient lists.

Frequently asked questions

Is E460 the same as Cellulose?
Yes — E460 is the international additive (E-number) code for Cellulose.
Is Cellulose bad for you?
Digestoa rates Cellulose (E460) as low concern. It's permitted in food and considered safe at normal dietary levels.
What are the side effects of Cellulose?
No significant side effects are associated with Cellulose at the levels used in food.
What foods contain Cellulose?
Low-calorie and 'lite' products, supplements and baked goods.
How can I avoid Cellulose?
Check the ingredients list for "Cellulose" or "E460", or scan the product with Digestoa to see if it's present before you buy.

Risk ratings reflect Digestoa's editorial assessment synthesising EFSA/IARC opinions and peer-reviewed research. Informational only — not medical advice.