Carrageenan Gum Market, By Type (Kappa Carrageenan, Iota Carrageenan, and Lambda Carrageenan), By Application (Food & Beverages, Personal Care & Toiletries, Pharmaceuticals, and Others), By Geography (North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East, and Africa).

Published In : Feb 2025

Code : CMI3443

Pages :120

Formats :

Excel and PDF

Industry : Food and Beverages

Market Challenge - Regulatory challenges and safety concerns

The market faces considerable regulatory challenges and safety concerns. There have been debates worldwide regarding the possible negative health effects of carrageenan consumption. Meeting these stringent safety standards has increased the production and R&D costs for carrageenan gum producers. For example, in 2021 the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published a scientific opinion stating that evidence from rodent studies indicates carrageenan is a genotoxic and carcinogenic substance. They concluded that no safe level for carcinogenicity in humans could be established. This regulatory action forced many formula manufacturers to reformulate their products, limiting the amount of carrageenan gum used.

Market Opportunity- Rising Popularity of Plant-Based Products

The growing popularity of vegan and plant-based foods presents significant opportunities for the market. As health and environmental concerns drive more consumers towards meat and dairy alternatives, carrageenan gum could experience increased usage in the development of innovative mock meat products. For instance, a UN study from 2023 states that between 2018 and 2020, sales of plant-based milk rose by 61%. The market appears to be well-positioned to profit from the growing trend towards more sustainable plant-based diets with ongoing product innovation.