E407 (INS 407) is carrageenan, a family of carbohydrates extracted from certain red seaweeds such as Irish moss, Eucheuma and Kappaphycus. The seaweed is cooked in alkaline water, and the extract is filtered, purified and dried to a powder. A less purified form, processed eucheuma seaweed, has its own number, INS 407a.
Carrageenan works especially well with milk proteins: very small amounts thicken or gently set milk-based creams and custards and stop them from separating. Its three main types, kappa, iota and lambda, range from firm, brittle gels to soft, thick textures. In the Shoei Tokyo Sweet Banana Gift Box, which contains milk and condensed milk, it is typically used to give the creamy banana filling a smooth, set texture.
Carrageenan is an approved food additive that has been evaluated by JECFA. Because it comes from seaweed rather than animals, it is often used where gelatin is not wanted.
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