Is pectin e440 vegan?

Pectin E440 is a plant-derived carbohydrate and gelling agent designated by the European food additive code E440, with the common name pectin. It is commercially extracted from the cell walls of plants, predominantly from citrus peels such as oranges, lemons, and limes, or from apple pomace remaining after juice pressing. The raw fruit material is heated in an acidic aqueous solution to extract the pectin molecules, which are subsequently filtered, precipitated with alcohol, dried, and milled into a fine powder.

In processed foods, pectin E440 functions as a thickener, emulsifier, and texturizer. It is commonly found in fruit spreads, jams, jellies, marmalades, dessert fillings, confectionery, and gelatin-free gummy candies. It is also used to stabilize acidic protein drinks and fruit juices.

Pectin E440 is classified as vegan because it is derived exclusively from plant sources. Its commercial extraction and refining processes do not involve animal tissues, animal byproducts, or animal-derived processing aids.