"How dangerous is carrageenan? Is it dangerous at all?"

It's not dangerous at all, if you're not allergic to it.

"Carrageenan is or can be from seaweed."

Carrageenan is ALWAYS from seaweed, not algae. Seaweed is simply a plant that grows underwater. There are many kinds of carrageenan-producing seaweed, similar to how there are many varieties of lettuce.

"...this horrible additive..."

The word "additive" makes it sound so chemical-y. and it's not horrible in and of itself, any more than peanuts are. Carrageenan is a completely natural product, and like many things from nature (nuts, shellfish, strawberries, tomatoes, bee stings, etc.) some people's systems cannot tolerate it. If you've never had an adverse reaction to a product containing carrageenan, don't think it's something you need to avoid on principle. But if you do know or believe you're allergic to it, the foods where you're most likely to find it are anything gel-like (from toothpaste to fruit filling) or liquids that would normally settle if you made them at home (like salad dressing and chocolate milk). You might also keep an eye out for "alginate" on product labels, as it is another seaweed-derived product.

I am really glad to have discovered this site in my quest to find validation for my belief that I am highly allergic to carrageenan. I also believe that I'm lactose intolerant (for, let's say, 55 years now, not to date myself...), but now this discussion group casts some doubt on that. I'm not sure that I want to test the theory, though, considering the violent cramps, bloating and explosive diarrhea that have always resulted when I consume any dairy product. However, I've noticed, as some people have said, that there are certain brands of ice cream that I've tried in the past that do not create the problem. A glass of milk, though, does do it, so perhaps I AM lactose intolerant. Anyhow, I digress...I have also been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, after a horrendous 8-week episode of rectal bleeding. The gastroenterologist has prescribed six tablets of Asacol per day, 2 pills 3X daily. This, along with cutting out all dairy, seemed to calm down my digestive tract. Then, I had some flare-ups and was totally confused because I was simply using soy or rice milk. I purchased The book "Natural Health, Natural Medicine," by Andrew Weil, MD, in an attempt to try to figure myself out. Lo and behold, in the section about IBD, Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease was the advice "Avoid foods made with carrageenan." Additionally, the book says: "[Carrageenan] is suspected of causing ulcerations and possibly cancers of the gastrointestinal tract." Yikes! I had never heard of this ingredient, but I started checking my pantry. Yup, the seemingly "soothing" soy AND rice milk I was using contained carrageenan (Warning: it also can be listed as Irish Moss or Red Moss ~ it's the same as carrageenan ~ if you see it, run for the hills!!). Also, the salad dressing I thought was bland had the thickening agent carrageenan listed!! ALSO, a rotisserie chicken from the supermarket listed carrageenan as an ingredient in its poultry rub! I was crazed, but also felt like I was experiencing an epiphany! I wasn't "nuts," I was definitely allergic to this ingredient. Other people, including, at first, my husband, looked at me like I was wacky. they didn't have any problem with this seemingly innocuous item, what was the big deal? Hello! Try ingesting it and then suffering intestinal distress to the point where you're homebound! So, I started scouring the supermarket shelves and found that there definitely ARE soy and rice milks without the carrageenan added! They're hard to locate, but keep checking every container's ingredient list. Thank the Lord that it appears to be required to be listed! I've discovered that, most times, the soy/rice drinks noted as "organic" do not contain the carrageenan, aka "red moss" or "Irish moss." Also, I looked at cottage cheese, yup, carrageenan ~ haven't located one that doesn't contain it. Now I'm completely afraid to eat anything in restaurants that isn't just a straight, unadorned baked potato or vegetable. Also, as some people in the discussion have noted, lunch meats can contain it ~ where do we find the ingredients on the lunch meats sliced in the deli? I've just been avoiding any of them at all. Saves money ~ you just never eat out! :) also, I noted that one person mentioned that their child can eat a batter-coated product from one fast-food place but not from another. An educated guess would be that the thickening agent in the batter that upset the stomach was the dreaded carrageenan. On my next gastroenterolgy check-up, in April, I plan to bring this up with my doctor ~ I am hoping that he is aware of a test for carrageenan allergy, just to confirm my belief. He has tested me for celiac disease, with, thankfully, negative results. I am also hoping that he doesn't look at me like I'm nuts when I start talking about this.... Thanks so much for the opportunity to "vent" and share about my situation! I'm sorry that others suffer from this allergy, but I am glad to have found some outlet for discussion.

I thought this was interesting.

A new study by the National Cancer Institute has revealed that a seaweed extract called carrageenan can prevent human papillomavirus (HPV) -- a sexually transmitted disease linked to cervical cancer -- from entering human cells.

Researchers found that carrageenan -- derived from red algae -- strongly inhibits HPV from attaching to human cells, which prevents it from entering and infecting the cells. "We were floored by how much better it worked than anything else we have tested," said researcher John Schiller of the National Cancer Institute.

Carrageenan is already in use in sexual lubricants as a thickener, and researchers hope to eventually develop the seaweed extract into an inexpensive gel that could help curb the spread of HPV, which infects 50 percent of sexually active women between the ages of 18 and 22.

The researchers said carrageenan was shown to somewhat affect HIV and herpes, but that genital HPV was a thousand times more susceptible to the seaweed extract. While Gardasil comes with possible side effects including pain, swelling, erythema (redness of the skin), pruritus (itching) and fever, carrageenan is widely used in baby formula as a thickener, and is completely safe to ingest.

Washington, DC

About 2 years ago I determined, via at-home food-elimination dieting, that I was allergic to CARRAGEENAN. When I eat anything with even a tiny trace of Carrageenan I get horrible acne around my mouth within a few hours. So, please take note for those of you who may also be allergic -- that not only is carrageenan in most soy milks and soups, but it is added to almost every deli meat, i.e., ham, bologna, roast beef, salami, pastrami, pepperoni, corn beef, hot dogs, et al., and it is added to many other prepared foods like stews, meat & poultry rubs, salad dressings, etc. yikes!! Read those labels before you buy.

If you are allergic to carrageenan, as am i, then I thought you may be interested in learning some other items to which I am allergic ...

red & yellow food dyes -- I get diarrhea w/in hours.

legumes, ie., peas, beans, peanuts -- I get gas.

dairy & eggs (no mayo!) -- I get acne + gas + diarrhea.

citrus fruits (including tomato) -- I get diarrhea.

fish, i.e., tuna, salmon -- I get excessive gas

bananas -- the skin on my heels became hard & thick!

seeds & nuts -- I get a terrible rash on my back

As you may have guessed, all these allergies do present a problem, ie., I now have a very limited range of diet. but, I am now free of gas, acne, rashes and diarrhea!

In general for breakfast I eat instant oatmeal with water and some sort of pastry made w/o dairy. I also have tea or coffee with carrageenan-free rice milk.

I almost never eat lunch, but if I do, it's usually a burger or chicken.

For dinner, I'll have either steak, burgers, chicken, and/or pork chops. I also have some veggies, potato, and salad (w/o cheese or tomato).

Snacks: plain corn chips, rice cakes, et al.

Hope some of the above helps you figure out what's bothering you. Good luck!

I too am severely allergic to carrageenan... It typically presents itself as hives, swelling of the hands, feet, lips, eyes and occasionally esophagus. The reaction is related to the amount that I consume. As a result of the allergy, I take Zyrtec everyday and scrutinize most everything I eat to ensure that it doesn't contain carrageenan. When a breakout happens I have to take varying amounts of Prednisone to counter the reaction. Milkshakes were my favorite snack until I discovered my allergy. since then I haven't had a shake... I find that Hagen-das doesn't use carrageenan as a thickener, since this discovery, we have become very good friends...

If you are allergic to carrageenan, you may be allergic to seafood(shell fish), and barium, which is used for gastrointestinal test. My allergist gave me a skin test after I suffered a severe allergy episode at a hospital. (I was short of breath, and had the itchy red eczemas after drinking barium). Prior to that I did experience terrible stomach cramps and explosive diarrhea any time I had some milk products. Now I read labels, avoid carrageenan and my problems have been solved. It is sad to say, but the health care community is not aware of carrageenan allergies. When I mention it at a hospital or even at my other doctors office, I'm ask "What is that".

Your allergist can give you a skin test for it, mine did.

I just experienced a "silent migraine". In past years, this was caused by estrogen meds but at age 78 I do not take estrogen any more. These usually last 20 to 30 minutes and cause distorted vision and intense "tummy pain". Trying to find the cause of this unusual occurrence, I realized I had eaten couple pieces of Hershey's Pot of Gold. They seemed too sweet and thankfully quit with 1 1/2 pieces.

In checking the ingredients I came across CARRAGEENAN. I have known for years that creme de menthe chocolate mints triggered migraines but why?? Perhaps years of diarrhea are related to carrageenan. Going to try eliminating soy products.

Never too old to learn new helpful things.

I was just doing a search on ingredients of milkshakes and cappucinos for a common ingredient in both besides the milk factor. I found carrageenan in both and discovered this website. I knew I wasn't lactose intolerant since I could drink milk just fine but every time I drink a cappuccino or drink a milkshake I get terrible intestinal cramping and cold sweats accompanied by 3-4 hours of diarrhea. I saw the last posting and realized I was not alone in this allergy. Thanks for this great website. I will be watching for carrageenan in everything I eat and drink from now on.

Re: soy is a toxin

I am Asian and I know for a fact that soy milk - unfermented and in all its beany goodness - has been in Asian diets since almost 2000 ago...long before it was ever introduced into Western diets. However, there has never been a strong correlation between soy milk consumption and breast cancer. In fact, you will find on Wikipedia that:

1. Plant estrogen intake, such as from soy products, in early adolescence may protect against breast cancer later in life.[23]

2. Plant estrogen intake later in life is not likely to influence breast cancer incidence either positively or negatively.[24]

See Soybean under Wikipedia for more information. The data is linked to some fascinating research on phytoestrogens.

Don't be fooled by internet myths. Always check your references for legitimacy.

I have done a personal study about carageenen and I have educated many coffee stands about soy. when asking for non dairy all they offer is Soy and the least expensive ones which are most have this ingredient in them. I know people that think their lactose intolerant and really its just caregeenen. I would love to enjoy sour cream and salad dressings in a restaurant but of course that not so great ingredient is in all. I think food companies and restaurants and coffee shops should have alternatives. Rice milk or almond milk instead of soy!! Keep educating as many as possible and keep reading labels to stay healthy.

I was having migraines a lot more than usual, then I started noticing that a lot of the food I was eating contained carrageenan. I started reading the labels more, and started purchasing items without carrageenan in it...ice cream, cottage cheese, yogurt and coffee creamers, just to mention a few, and my migraines decreased.

Over the years I've noticed an odd sensitivity after eating certain foods. First my teeth & gums hurt, my tongue itches and my insides quiver. I have a terrible nights sleep (tossing & turning & clenching my teeth). I was told by my doctor that I suffered from anxiety, but I was certain it was a food allergy, as it only happens after eating certain foods like ice cream & yogurt, and drinking certain types of beer & wine. I thought maybe it was sulfites, but after checking labels whenever I have one of these episodes, the ingredient that I kept seeing is Carrageenan. Thanks for the information on your site, now I know I'm not crazy.

Do an Internet search, and you will find a connection between carageenan and arthritis! It seems to cause it in lab rats!

Here it is Halloween again and trying to make it this year without my 3 yr old having breathing problems from carrageenan - breathing problems that take nearly a month to clear after an incident. Does anyone have information on how candy is made because I believe you cannot trust the ingredient list. A teacher tried to give her candy corn today and although it was not listed as an ingredient I asked her not to try it since the package had a disclaimer that said may contain peanuts, milk, whey and listed every other allergen they could think of. So I guess that means some candies re-use machines and could contain any other ingredient used in any of their other candies, right? I know M&Ms are carrageenan free but don't trust any others yet. Poor baby what's the point of trick or treating...

First, this in in reference to the woman about how she cut her diet down when she was feeding. I noted that your diet included oatmeal...a wheat! Kick that out of your diet and see what happens.

Second, for all those soy-lovers out there, soy is a toxin! Please don't say, "well all the Asians eat it and they are healthy" because they only eat minimal amounts. And soy sauce is fermented, which is completely different.

Also, soy is a phytoestrogen- it mimics the hormone, estrogen. When a male eats large amounts of tofu and other food high in soy, he will begin to form mammary glands. Women, when they eat a lot of soy, they are ingesting the equivalant to 5 birth control pills!!! And the vegetarians wonder why they have a hard time getting pregnant and why they do not have a menses cycle!!!

Do a little research. Remember, the producers of soy will show you their research, not everyone else. They just want to sell a product!

Mothers! Please try and feed your babies a non-soy formula is you cannot breast feed. Breast feeding is best for your babies and gives them a better start. Also, you breast milk passes on antibodies from your immune system because your child cannot make is own right now.

I have been eating "Fruit by the Foot" and it has carrageenan in it. I have been experimenting with different food that I eat, because I was not sure what was causing me to itch all over. I stopped eating these fruit roll-ups and it went away. Just to make sure that it was the source of my itching problem, I ate another one today and within 10 minutes I started to itch all over. So I looked at the label to find out what was in the ingredients that could cause this and found that it contained Carrageenan. I googled this, which brought me to this website. Thanks for this information on this site, I think I may have found the source of my problem.

I just received the labs back on my daughter's blood work, which confirm an allergy to carrageenan. I'm now in the process of confirming which foods I think she has a problem with and which ones do contain carrageenan. She's had many problems with "jellied" type candies, especially Swedish fish. Any other lists that people know of?

Has anyone ever had migranes as a reaction to carrageenan?

I just realized tonight that carrageenan is the only possible ingredient I could be allergic to. I bought this ice cream that is little dots. I noticed that I was having to use my asthma meds more often since buying it, but tonight, my face is swollen, including my throat and I have small red bumps on my face, neck, and chest. this has never happened before, and I have eaten things with all the other ingredients before... goodness, just what I need, another allergy. thanks for all your sharing, that is how I found the information.

I went into anaphalaxis after drinking soy milk for the first time. The only things I can be allergic to are soybeans and carageenan. My tests for soy came back positive but not so severe that it should have put me in the hospital. My allergist said there is no way for him to test for carageenan but it seems that some of you have been tested for it. If you have, can you tell me where you were tested?

My 3 yr old daughter is allergic to carageenan - it was an ingredient I suspected since she reacted to even a bite of ice cream - except Haagen Daaz, no carageenan :). My doctor found a lab to test for carageenan and confirmed it. She was adopted from China and previously only one other carageenan allergy I found on the web was also adopted from China. She also reacted badly to a mint once that did not list carageenan as an ingredient so I now worry about candies infected with it during its manufacture. We are sticking with m&Ms only for now. Anyone have other candies they reacted to?

What an odd allergy. My daughter gets violently sick when eating BW3 and Chickfila nuggets but McD, BK and Wendy's are fine. She also had problems with pre-made formula which contains this horrible additive. I am glad that I am not crazy.

I was diagnosed with a carrageenan allergy at the age of 30. I was misdiagnosed for many years before learning of this allergy and a peanut allergy. When I was first diagnosed, 5 years ago, it was not yet required that carrageenan be listed on food labels. Now, from what I've heard, companies do need to list it. Does anyone have a list of foods/products that carrageenan is in? I have some, but am often surprised when I have a reaction to something and don't find carrageenan on the label.

I had thought I was allergic to soy...as a vegan that would put me "up a creek." But I realized the only soy products that give me the horrible stomach pains and cramps are soy milk and soy ice cream. Tofu, tempeh, and other soy products (that do not have carrageenan) do not give me any problems. I have no other food allergies that I am aware of, so this is very surprising to me.

My son is allergic to milk, eggs, beef, oranges but not soy. He can drink soy formula, but when I give soy milk, he gets diarrhea and a raw heinny, I believe it is the carrageenan, I am glad to have figured it out, but what do I feed him besides formula?

I think I am allergic to Carrageenan and/or seaweed. I am not sure which it is or both. At first I noticed it in foods with seaweed. My reactions increased in severity overtime with the worst being passing out and being sent to a hospital Emergency Room. Most recently I have had gum pain after eating ice cream. I checked the label and saw Carrageenan. I just recently learned that Carrageenan is or can be from seaweed. I have had allergy testing, but don't believe that they tested for Carrageenan. I hope one day it is added to allergy testing.

I think my 7 month old son may be allergic to carrageenan. He has confirmed egg and milk allergies, but something is still causing him very itchy eczema that disturbs his sleep. I am nursing him and cut my diet down to rice, oatmeal, lamb, turkey, and rice milk--and he is still reacting! I saw that one of the ingredients in the rice milk is carrageenan--Any other info on this topic would be much appreciated!

My son had a terrible time with formula (issue with breast feeding) and we went down the "hypo-allergenic" road of baby formula--less lactose, soy, chemical, highly chemical. He got better as we went back "up" the formula chain. The biggest change was the carageenan and where it fell in the list of ingredients. I have to assume that as we went to less carageenan he had fewer issues. I accidentally fed him some eggnog (lots of carageenan) instead of milk and he projectile vomited on me within a minute. Lots of carageenan.

I also believe that I am affected by it. Both my son and I can drink milk made with chocolate syrup but have a terrible time with pre-made chocolate milk. What's the difference? Carageenan.

I put it down as an allergy for him and people look at me funny. Heck, I'm allergic to rosin. No one knows how to diagnose and deal with the odd allergies.

Looking for anyone that is allergic to the food additive carrageenan.

I discovered about 7 years ago that what I thought for several years was lactose intolerance was actually a severe reaction to carrageenan. I could eat all I wanted of an ice cream that was carrageenan-free. But, even a small bowl of ice cream with carrageenan could be followed by cramps and diarrhea.

Whenever I tell anyone about this I am generally made to feel stupid or feeble. Anymore I just feel embarrassed and usually just try not to ever say anything to anyone about it. But, over the course of the last 7 years or so I have proved to myself over and over again that my reactions are carrageenan induced.

All I know for sure is that I can guarantee myself a massive stomach ache and often even hours on the toilet whenever I eat anything with much carrageenan in it. I had an episode several months ago and didn't even realize it was carrageenan until several days later when my wife pointed out that some lunch meat I had purchased contained carrageenan.

How dangerous is carrageenan?

Is it dangerous at all?