title: Evidence for the safety of gum tragacanth (Asiatic Astragalus spp.) and modern criteria for the evaluation of food additives.
abstract: Gum tragacanth (GT), affirmed as GRAS within the USA since 1961, was evaluated as 'ADI not specified' by JECFA in 1985. Within the EEC, GT has been permitted temporarily as a food additive (E413), without an ADI, since 1974; a decision regarding its permanent status must be reached before the end of 1988. This review collates the dietary, toxicological, immunological and chemical data available and presents the pre-requisite data concerning the 'Need' and low levels of utilization of GT.
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Department, The University, Edinburgh, U.K.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Anderson
mesh_terms: D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced; D000818:Animals; D004032:Diet; D005503:Food Additives; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity; D006801:Humans; D009152:Mutagenicity Tests; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000633:toxicity*; D014144:Tragacanth / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D005503:Food Additives; D011134:Polysaccharides; D014144:Tragacanth