E445 - Glycerol esters of wood rosin
Synonyms: E445Glycerol esters of wood rosinGlycerol ester of wood rosinglyceryl abietateester gum
Function:
stabilizer
Products: Found in 1,945 products
Glycerol esters of wood rosin (E445) are food additives made by joining glycerol to the resin acids found in pine wood rosin. In drinks, they act as a “weighting agent” that helps flavor oils stay mixed so the beverage looks and tastes uniform from first sip to last. They are also called ester gum on labels.
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At a glance
- What it is: A mixture of glycerol and purified wood rosin acids from pine trees; often listed as “glycerol ester of wood rosin” or “ester gum.”
- What it does: Keeps citrus and other flavor oils dispersed in soft drinks (a density-adjusting emulsifier/stabiliser).
- Where you’ll find it: Citrus sodas, fruit-flavored soft drinks, and some energy or sports drinks.
- Common swaps: sucrose acetate isobutyrate (SAIB), brominated vegetable oil (BVO), and gums like acacia gum.
Why is Glycerol esters of wood rosin added to food?
It helps match the density of flavor oils to water so the oils don’t float to the top or form a ring at the neck of the bottle. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permits “glycerol ester of wood rosin” for use in beverages as a weighting agent under specific conditions in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 21 CFR 172.735.1
What foods contain Glycerol esters of wood rosin?
You’ll most often see E445 in:
- Citrus-flavored carbonated soft drinks
- Fruit-flavored sodas
- Some sports and energy drinks
- Beverage bases and syrups for fountain drinks
On ingredient lists, look for “glycerol ester of wood rosin,” “glycerol esters of wood rosin,” or “ester gum.”
What can replace Glycerol esters of wood rosin?
Manufacturers may use:
- Sucrose acetate isobutyrate (SAIB), another weighting agent for flavor oils.
- Brominated vegetable oil (BVO), historically used for similar purposes but restricted or phased out in many places.
- Emulsifier systems built from gums and emulsifiers, such as acacia gum, xanthan gum, and mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids, though these may not provide the same density adjustment and often need careful formulation.
How is Glycerol esters of wood rosin made?
Producers start with wood rosin, a natural resin obtained from pine wood. They react the resin acids with glycerol to form glycerol esters, then further purify the product to meet food-grade specifications for identity and purity (such as limits on free resin acids and contaminants). The end result is a pale, viscous resin that dissolves in flavor oils and helps keep them evenly dispersed in drinks.1
Is Glycerol esters of wood rosin safe to eat?
Regulators have evaluated E445 and allow its use within set limits. In the U.S., the FDA authorizes glycerol ester of wood rosin for specified beverage uses when it meets detailed material and purity requirements in 21 CFR 172.735.1 In the European Union, E445 appears in the official additive specifications laid out in Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012.2 As with all additives, manufacturers must keep to legal limits and quality standards.
Does Glycerol esters of wood rosin have any benefits?
For consumers, it keeps drinks clear and consistent—no oil droplets, no flavor rings, and no need to shake. For producers, it improves shelf stability and helps deliver a reliable taste and appearance across batches.
Who should avoid Glycerol esters of wood rosin?
- People who prefer to avoid tree-resin–derived ingredients for personal reasons.
- Anyone advised by a healthcare professional to limit specific additives. If you’re unsure, check the label and discuss any concerns with your clinician or dietitian.
Myths & facts
- “It’s just pine sap in soda.” Fact: It’s a purified, food-grade derivative of wood rosin that meets strict identity and purity rules.
- “It’s the same as BVO.” Fact: E445 is not brominated; it’s a different compound used for a similar job in beverages.
- “It makes drinks thicker.” Fact: Its main role is density adjustment for flavor oils, not thickening the whole beverage.
- “It isn’t regulated.” Fact: Both U.S. and EU regulations set specifications and conditions for its use.
Glycerol esters of wood rosin in branded foods
You’ll most commonly see E445 in citrus or fruit-flavored soft drinks. To spot it, read the ingredient list for “glycerol ester(s) of wood rosin” or “ester gum.” If a product switches weighting agents, labels may show alternatives like SAIB or BVO instead.
References
Footnotes
-
Glycerol ester of wood rosin — 21 CFR 172.735. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-172/subpart-C/section-172.735 ↩ ↩2 ↩3
-
Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 — Specifications for food additives listed in Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2012/231/oj ↩
Popular Questions
Is ester gum bad for you?
No—at permitted food levels it’s considered safe; EFSA set an acceptable daily intake of 25 mg/kg body weight, and typical exposures from beverages are well below this.
What is ester gum in drinks?
It’s a weighting agent/emulsifier that keeps citrus flavor oils evenly dispersed in soft drinks, preventing separation and “ringing” at the surface; it’s often used as an alternative to brominated vegetable oil.
Is ester gum vegan?
It’s derived from wood rosin (from pine trees) reacted with glycerol; while the rosin is plant-based, glycerol can be plant-, animal-, or synthetic-derived, so vegan status depends on the supplier—check manufacturer or certification.
What is ester gum made of?
Glycerol esters of wood rosin—produced by reacting refined wood rosin (rosin acids from pine) with glycerol and then purifying the product.
What is ester gum used for?
Mainly to emulsify and weight citrus oils in soft drinks so they stay uniformly mixed; it’s also used in chewing gum and some desserts as a stabilizer.
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