Cellulose ethers are recognized as food safety additives. They can be used as food thickeners, stabilizers and humectants to thicken, retain water and improve taste. They are widely used in developed countries and are mainly used in baked goods, cellulose casings, non-dairy creamers, juices, sauces, meat and other protein products, fried foods, etc.
China, the United States, the European Union and many other countries allow non-ionic cellulose ethers HPMC and ionic cellulose ethers CMC to be used as food additives. HPMC is included in the Food Additives Pharmacopoeia and the International Food Codex issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA); in my country, according to the "GB2760 Food Safety National Standard Food Additives Usage Standard" issued by the National Health and Family Planning Commission and implemented since June 20, 2011, HPMC is included in the "List of Food Additives that Can Be Used in Various Foods According to Production Needs". The maximum dosage is not limited, and the manufacturer can control the dosage according to actual needs.