Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormPowder
Industry PositionFood Additive (Hydrocolloid Thickener/Stabilizer)
Market
Carrageenan in Brazil is primarily a food-industry ingredient used as a thickener, stabilizer, gelling agent, and emulsifier across multiple food categories. Brazil’s additive regime is a positive list approach administered by Anvisa, meaning use is limited to authorized functions and limits for each food category. Import operations can require prior administrative clearance (e.g., via Siscomex licensing/consent workflows), and importers should verify which authority treatment applies by NCM and intended use. A Mercosul technical regulation also restricts the use of carrageenan-class hydrocolloids in certain gelled confectionery/dessert formats intended to be swallowed in one bite, creating application-specific compliance risk.
Market RoleImport-dependent ingredient market (industrial food-manufacturing use)
Domestic RoleFunctional food additive used by industrial manufacturers (thickener/stabilizer/gelling agent/emulsifier)
Specification
Physical Attributes- Hydrocolloid extracted from red seaweeds; commercial carrageenan types include κ, ι, and λ fractions with different gelling/viscosity behavior.
Compositional Metrics- Food additive identity and purity specifications are defined in FAO/WHO JECFA monographs/compendia for carrageenan and processed Eucheuma seaweed (INS 407/407a).
Grades- Food additive grade carrageenan aligned to FAO/WHO JECFA specifications (INS 407).
- Semi-refined grade (processed Eucheuma seaweed) aligned to FAO/WHO JECFA specifications (INS 407a).
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Red seaweed harvest/farming (origin countries) → drying → extraction/refining (INS 407) or alkaline processing (INS 407a) → milling/blending → export shipment → Brazil importer → food-ingredient distribution → industrial food manufacturing use
Freight IntensityLow
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighBrazil uses a positive-list approach for food additives and applies import administrative controls; if carrageenan is supplied for non-authorized uses or if required import licensing/consent steps are not met, shipments can be delayed, refused, or trigger enforcement action.Confirm authorization for the intended food category/function/limit under applicable rules and validate Siscomex administrative treatment (including any required Anvisa LI and/or MAPA consent) before shipment.
Regulatory Compliance MediumMercosul technical regulation restricts carrageenan-class hydrocolloids (including INS 407 and INS 407a) in certain gelled confectionery/dessert formats sold in small capsules/cups intended to be swallowed in one bite; misapplication can create non-compliance and recall risk.Screen finished-product formats and claims against Mercosul/Anvisa additive rules; avoid restricted gel-capsule/mini-cup swallowable formats when formulating with INS 407/407a.
Food Safety MediumCarrageenan and processed Eucheuma seaweed have specific JECFA safety discussions for infant uses; infant and special-medical-purpose formulas can face higher scrutiny, and safety expectations may differ by product type (INS 407 vs INS 407a) and use conditions.For infant-related applications, align specifications and use conditions to Codex/JECFA guidance, and maintain robust technical documentation supporting safety and compliance.
Documentation Gap MediumAdministrative treatment in Siscomex can change by NCM and authority (e.g., MAPA updates affecting NCM 13023910); misclassification or missing required attributes can cause customs holds and demurrage.Validate NCM classification and current Siscomex treatment/attributes with a qualified customs broker and confirm authority requirements (Anvisa/MAPA) prior to contracting shipment.
Sustainability- Upstream sourcing traceability to red seaweed harvesting/farming areas (seaweed can be wild-harvested or farmed), which can be a buyer due-diligence topic for imported hydrocolloids.
FAQ
Is carrageenan allowed for use in foods in Brazil?Brazil uses a positive list approach administered by Anvisa, meaning an additive can only be used when authorized for the specific food category, function, and limit. In the Mercosul framework, carrageenan is identified as INS 407 (and processed Eucheuma seaweed as INS 407a), and there are also specific Mercosul restrictions for certain gelled confectionery/dessert formats.
What are the main regulatory hurdles when importing carrageenan into Brazil?Importers must verify the Siscomex administrative treatment by NCM and intended regulatory category, because imports of products under sanitary surveillance can require non-automatic licensing (LI) and prior consent by the relevant authority. Siscomex communications also show NCM 13023910 (carrageenan) in the context of administrative treatment updates under MAPA, so treatment should be rechecked at time of shipment.
What is the difference between carrageenan (INS 407) and processed Eucheuma seaweed (INS 407a)?Carrageenan (INS 407) is a refined extract obtained from red seaweeds, while processed Eucheuma seaweed (INS 407a) is a semi-refined product produced through alkaline treatment of specific Eucheuma species and typically contains more insoluble cellulosic matter. Codex/FAO and WHO JECFA list them as separate INS numbers with their own references.