Dear Hydrocolleague:

Welcome to this week’s edition of Tidbits! Each week we bring you a mix of industry highlights, quick updates, and a few insights designed to spark new ideas. We’d love to hear from you. Send us topics you’d like to see covered in future issues.

Another Chemical Sounding Ingredient.

Last week we spoke of Di-hydrogen monoxide and how label 'unfriendly' it sounds for what is otherwise known as water.

Would you buy a food containing "β-D-Fructofuranosyl α-D-glucopyranoside " ?

You probably have consumed this ingredient already today.

What is it?

The answer next week.

Thank you to the Hydrocolleague who alerted us to this common chemical in food.

Carrageenan is NOT a Preservative

Costco faces a class action lawsuit over the use of carrageenan in its renowned rotisserie chicken. The suit alleges that the "No Preservative" claim on the front of the package label is false and misleading because the chicken contains carrageenan, which 'is a preservative'.

During legal proceedings, Costco has removed "No Preservative" from the front of package label. It did not, however, discontinue the use of carrageenan.

A federal court hearing was scheduled on Sept. 18, 2026, at 10 am in San Diego.

IMR (Dennis) appeared at the scheduled time, only to find that the hearing was postponed to Dec 18, 2026 at 10 am. Unfortunately, Dennis will be on a flight back from Europe at that time. Nesha will attend if the hearing is not continued again.

For our San Diego-based Hydrocolleagues who may wish to attend, the hearing will be in courtroom 4A under Judge Anthony Battaglia, Federal Courthouse, 221 W. Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101

The online docket information is HERE

We suggest you check before going to the courthouse. The case may be settled out of court and before the next scheduled date.

In IMR's commercial and technical experience, carrageenan is not, and has never been, used to prevent spoilage, which is the function of a preservative. Carrageenan has been used in birth control formulations which, for some of our Francophone hydrocolleagues, would qualify it as a preservative, but that is a linguistic idiosyncrasy. Why this case was not summarily thrown out for lack of legal standing escapes us. IMR is not a legal firm, nor do we give legal advice; however, we reserve the right to our opinions. Carrageenan is not a food preservative, plain and simple.

IMR will continue to work on correcting hydrocolloid misconceptions wherever possible and defending their proper use according to established regulations.

As always we welcome the thoughts and feedback from our Hydrocolleagues..

Xanthan Inflammation Concern

We don't mean to give undeserved attention to hydrocolloid scaremongering, but it is better for Hydrocolleagues to know what's out there sooner rather than later. A recent, Sept. 23, 2026, online posting by the infamous Dr. Mercola has the following headline:

Study Links Chronic Xanthan Gum Consumption to Colon Inflammation


The study Dr. Mercola's headline refers to, conducted in Brazil, is HERE. It was published on the PLOS One platform on April 15, 2026. The analysis of this study by Dr. Mercola was placed online on September 23, 2026. It is HERE.

This is not a 'new' look at the possible intestinal effects of xanthan, which is technically a fiber. The recommended daily intake (RDI) of fiber is 30-40gm/Day. The daily intake of xanthan in a normal diet (salad dressing, baked goods etc.) would be a small fraction of 30-40 gm. Consumers suffering from dysphagia and celiac disease, a small part of the population, would be the most highly exposed to xanthan gum but still fall well below 30-40gm. To be clear, xanthan is not an FDA-recognized source of soluble or insoluble dietary fiber.

Dr. Mercola has made an often controversial social media name for himself. An online Google search of Dr. Mercola describes him as follows:

Dr. Joseph Mercola is a controversial figure known for promoting alternative health products and dietary supplements, often criticized for making unsubstantiated health claims. He has shifted his views on certain medical practices, such as now supporting vitamin K shots for newborns, which he previously opposed.

Dr. Mercola offers countless "Natural and Health Products" on his website and via other online sales channels. He is very much vested in selling products that address concerns about foods and ingredients that he causes consumers to be afraid of.

IMR would not give much credence to concerns and conclusions presented by Dr. Mercola. Many consumers, unfortunately, may well think otherwise.

Regulatory Uncertainty - Trade Associations Needed

The September issue of the IFT Food Technology magazine (p18) touched on the subject of addressing "Regulatory Uncertainty." The uncertainty is primarily generated by the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement headed by R.F. Kennedy Jr., but also by a growing consumer-driven ingredient backlash... This is driving the food industry and ingredient suppliers to navigate a deeply fragmented regulatory landscape.

Never has there been a greater need for trade associations to take up the mantle of consumer information and defend hydrocolloid safety. Marinalg, OFCA, Biopolymers International, AIPG, and other trade associations need to be more proactive in disseminating consumer information. If it takes social media campaigns rather than dealing with regulatory agencies, so be it.

The technical aspects of hydrocolloids- viscosity, suspension, gelation, synergy are still very important, but if consumers shun a hydrocolloid, how well it works and how safe it is becomes secondary.

If at any time you wish to stop receiving our tidbits, simply click "unsubscribe" below. If you received this as a forwarded message and want to add your name to our Hydrocolleague list, just click HERE.

DSeisun@hydrocolloid.com | +1-858-217- 5024

NZalesny@hydrocolloid.com | +1-619-871-1415

www.hydrocolloid.com