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Cellulose and Modified Celluloses (E 460, E 461, E 464)

Last reviewed October 19, 2026

In plain words: Microcrystalline cellulose (E 460(i)) is purified plant fiber used to bulk up foods and keep powders from clumping. Powdered cellulose (E 460(ii)) is purified plant fiber, often used to stop shredded cheese from clumping. Methylcellulose (E 461) is a modified plant fiber used to thicken foods and hold plant-based foods together. Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC, E 464) is a modified plant fiber used as a thickener and in capsules.

What the evidence review says

Microcrystalline cellulose

Microcrystalline cellulose is purified plant fiber used to bulk up foods and keep powders from clumping. It passes through the body without being absorbed. We found no notable concern at reported food uses; very large amounts can loosen stools.

No notable concern at reported food uses. It is essentially unabsorbed and leaves in the stool. Very large amounts act like insoluble fiber and can loosen stools. Specifications limit how much of the powder may be extremely fine.

Powdered cellulose

Powdered cellulose is purified plant fiber, often used to stop shredded cheese from clumping. It passes through the gut largely unabsorbed. We found no notable concern at reported food uses; large amounts can loosen stools.

No notable concern at reported food uses. It passes through the gut largely unabsorbed. Large amounts add bulk and can loosen stools. Direct chronic studies are thinner than for microcrystalline cellulose; the 2018 European conclusion uses read-across within the cellulose group.

Methylcellulose

Methylcellulose is a modified plant fiber used to thicken foods and hold plant-based foods together. Almost all of it leaves the body unabsorbed. EFSA found no safety concern at reported uses; large amounts can loosen stools.

No notable concern at reported food uses. Almost all of an oral dose is recovered in the stool. Large amounts add bulk and can loosen stools, which is the basis of its use as a bulk-forming product. A 1973 SCOGS note described maternal deaths and slower fetal maturation, without birth defects, in pregnant mice at very high doses. The 2018 EFSA re-evaluation of the food additive found no safety concern at reported uses and no need for a numerical ADI.

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose is a modified plant fiber used as a thickener and in capsules. It acts like soluble fiber and is barely absorbed. EFSA found no need for a numerical daily intake limit, and we found no notable concern at reported food uses.

No notable concern at reported food uses. It behaves like a soluble fiber, is not absorbed to a meaningful extent, and was included in the 2018 EFSA conclusion that modified celluloses need no numerical ADI.

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This page is for general education. It is not medical advice and does not replace advice from your doctor, pediatrician, allergist or registered dietitian. Research changes; we review these pages when new evidence or rules come out. Last reviewed October 19, 2026.