[Click here to read the updated carrageenan report] Toxic, Carcinogenic, Degraded Carrageenan: Widespread Contamination Present in the Common Food-Grade Ingredient A just-issued report by The Cornucopia Institute summarizes research on the common food additive carrageenan, exposing the industry’s hidden data demonstrating that all food-grade carrageenan contains a carcinogenic contaminant—low molecular weight poligeenan. Carrageenan, harvested from… Read more »
Search Results for: carrageenan
Tell the USDA to Remove Carrageenan from Organic Foods
An ingredient linked to gastrointestinal inflammation, classified as a “possible carcinogen” Research links the food ingredient carrageenan to gastrointestinal inflammation and colon cancer, yet it is still found in many foods, including, disturbingly, many certified organic foods. The government is unlikely to act in the interest of consumer health and remove carrageenan from conventional foods,… Read more »
Our Letter to Costco Regarding Carrageenan

In 2021, Cornucopia asked its supporters to stand up for the safety and integrity of the organic label by imploring Costco to remove carrageenan from its organic store-brand chocolate milk and soy beverages. More than 1,200 people responded — organic advocates who took time of their lives to print, sign, and mail in pleas for us to… Read more »
USDA Rejects Advice of Expert Panel
Inflammatory/carcinogenic food additive carrageenan reapproved for use in organics Report Exposes Food Industry Cover-up: Widespread Contamination Present in the Common Food-Grade Ingredient A highly controversial natural food substance, carrageenan, a seaweed derivative used in conventional, “natural,” and some organic foods, was just reapproved by USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue. This move overrides the recommendation of the… Read more »
What Organic Eaters Need to Know About Carrageenan
Photo courtesy of AdobeStock Gayle Sudit had reached a medical standstill. After a diagnosis of proctitis that escalated into ulcerative colitis, her symptoms persisted, despite the prescriptions she filled for months. Her gastroenterologist recommended an elimination diet (standard for someone with her diagnosis), which only exacerbated her symptoms, even making her late for work several times. In 2014, she found The Cornucopia Institute’s research on… Read more »
You Don’t Have to Eat Carrageenan: Finding Alternatives to a Toxic Food Additive
Carrageenan is a common food additive extracted from red seaweed. For the past four decades, scientists have warned that the use of carrageenan in food is not safe. Animal studies have repeatedly shown that food-grade carrageenan causes gastrointestinal inflammation and higher rates of intestinal lesions, ulcerations, and even malignant tumors. Despite the evidence showing the… Read more »
Carrageenan: Risks and Reality
This article includes excerpts from the report: Carrageenan: How a Natural Food Additive is Making Us Sick. Read the report and the rest of Cornucopia’s work investigating this controversial ingredient. If it’s in our food, it must be safe to eat, right? We can say that about countless ingredients that have been proven to be… Read more »
How Did Carrageenan Get into Your Organic Food Anyway?
The following is excerpted from The Cornucopia Institute’s report “Carrageenan: How A Natural Food Additive is Making Us Sick.” Organic foods should be a safe haven from harmful ingredients. In fact, the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990, the law governing organic foods, requires that non-agricultural ingredients must be determined safe to human health and… Read more »
Tell The Honest Company and Tom’s of Maine: Stop the Lies about Carrageenan!
The Honest Company recently introduced toothpaste for kids—and included the harmful ingredient carrageenan. When customer complaints poured in, they responded by telling us we are all “confused” and “misinformed” about the difference between degraded carrageenan and food-grade carrageenan—and that food-grade carrageenan is perfectly safe. Tom’s of Maine (Colgate-Palmolive) also puts carrageenan in its toothpaste, including… Read more »
Take Action: Sign the Petition — It’s Time to Remove Carrageenan (Intestinal Inflammatory Agent/Carcinogen) from Organics!
[This alert is over – and we won! The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) voted in November 2016 to remove carrageenan from the National List for use in organics. It will be some time before all organic products are carrageenan free. Until then consult Cornucopia’s buying guide.] The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) will be voting… Read more »