JECFA Gum Arabic —
B2B Supplier from Chad.

Gum arabic from Chad — JECFA grade

Gum arabic is a natural exudate obtained by tapping the bark of Acacia senegal (L.) Willdenow trees. Chad is one of the world’s leading producer countries, alongside Sudan and Nigeria, which together account for more than 90% of global production. The resin flows naturally from incisions made in the bark, then air-dries into spheroidal tears ranging from pale white to orange-brown.

Chemically, gum arabic is a complex mixture of high-molecular-weight polysaccharides and glycoproteins. Its main composition includes arabinogalactan (~90%) and arabinogalactan-protein (~10%). On hydrolysis, it mainly releases arabinose, galactose, rhamnose and glucuronic acid. It is water-soluble (1 g dissolves in 2 ml of water) and insoluble in ethanol.

The JECFA grade (Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives) — established at the 51st JECFA session (1998), CAS 9000-01-5 — is the international reference for food and pharmaceutical applications. It sets precise limits: max moisture 15%, max total ash 4%, controlled active-component content.

TchadAgriSourcing sources gum arabic directly from Chadian producers. Packed in 500 kg big bags or 25 kg bags. COA and JECFA technical data sheet provided with every batch. Export mainly FOB N’Djamena.

Global regulatory status

Gum arabic enjoys an exceptional regulatory status worldwide. EFSA and JECFA assign it an ADI of “not specified” — the most favourable safety level possible for a food additive. The FDA (United States) has classified it as GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe). It is approved as food additive E414 in the European Union and authorised in the vast majority of countries worldwide under Codex Alimentarius reference INS 414.