E440 - Pectin
By the Daat team · Updated October 30, 2026
E440 is pectin, the gelling agent that sets jam. It comes from apple and citrus peel.
Anyone who has made jam knows the moment it sets; that is pectin. Industrially it is also used in fruit yoghurts, which in our catalog is where it is most common.
How common is it? 2.9% of the products we checked, 483 in all, led by yoghurts and dairy desserts and chocolate and sweets.
E440 at a glance
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Pectin |
| Function | Gelling agent |
| Origin | Plant, mineral or synthetic |
| Vegan / vegetarian | Yes / Yes |
Is E440 vegan?
Yes. E440 has no animal source, so it suits both vegans and vegetarians.