Is carboxy methyl cellulose e466 vegan?

Carboxymethyl cellulose E466, commonly known as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose or cellulose gum, is a food additive used primarily as a thickener, stabilizer, and emulsifier. It is produced by chemically modifying natural cellulose, which is extracted from plant sources such as wood pulp or cotton linters. Manufacturers treat this purified plant cellulose with alkali and chloroacetic acid, yielding a water-soluble polymer that controls viscosity and retains moisture in food formulations.

This ingredient is widely used across the food industry in products such as bakery goods, salad dressings, sauces, ice creams, icings, and plant-based dairy alternatives. Carboxymethyl cellulose E466 is vegan because its starting material is entirely plant-based and the chemical agents used during its production are synthetic or mineral in origin. No animal tissues, animal derivatives, or animal-based processing aids are involved at any point in its manufacturing process.