# Rosin, Tall Oil, Glycerol Ester (E445)

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**Safety rating:** UNKNOWN
**E-number:** E445
**CAS number:** 977019-97-8
**Category:** other
**FDA GRAS:** no
**Adverse events (FDA AERS):** 0
**FDA recalls:** 0
**Last updated:** 2026-04-04

## Summary

Rosin, Tall Oil, Glycerol Ester is a masticatory substance derived from tall oil and rosin combined with glycerol. It is used in chewing gum and related products to provide texture and consistency.

## Regulatory status

| Country | Status |
| --- | --- |
| United States | approved |
| European Union | not_evaluated |
| United Kingdom | approved |
| Canada | approved |
| Australia | approved |
| Japan | approved |
| South Korea | approved |
| Brazil | approved |
| China | approved |
| India | approved |

## Detailed analysis

## What is Rosin, Tall Oil, Glycerol Ester?

Rosin, Tall Oil, Glycerol Ester (CAS Number: 977019-97-8) is a synthetic compound created by chemically combining rosin (a natural resin derived from pine trees), tall oil (a byproduct of kraft pulping in paper manufacturing), and glycerol (a humectant and solvent). The resulting ester is a semi-solid or solid substance with properties suitable for food applications, particularly as a masticatory substance.

Rosin itself has been used in food production for decades, primarily as a glazing agent and masticatory substance. When combined with tall oil and glycerol, it creates a modified compound with different functional properties that manufacturers use to formulate chewing gum bases and similar products.

## Common Uses

Rosin, Tall Oil, Glycerol Ester functions as a masticatory substance, meaning it is used in products intended to be chewed but not swallowed. Its primary application is in chewing gum formulations, where it contributes to the gum base structure, providing elasticity, texture, and chewability. The compound helps maintain the desired consistency and mouthfeel during chewing.

Manufacturers select this particular ester for its stability, resistance to oxidation, and compatibility with other gum base ingredients. It allows for the creation of formulations that maintain consistent quality across production batches and during product shelf life.

## Safety Assessment

Rosin, Tall Oil, Glycerol Ester has not been granted GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status by the FDA, meaning it has not undergone the formal GRAS notification process or received explicit FDA approval for use as a direct food additive. However, the individual components—rosin, tall oil, and glycerol—have established safety histories in food applications.

As of the latest available data, there are zero documented adverse events reported to the FDA associated with this additive, and zero product recalls have been issued. This absence of reported problems suggests that if the compound is being used in commercial food products, it has not generated safety concerns significant enough to warrant regulatory action or consumer reports of harm.

The lack of GRAS status does not necessarily indicate safety concerns; rather, it reflects that manufacturers may not have submitted formal safety documentation to the FDA, or the agency has not completed review of such submissions. Many food additives operate under different regulatory frameworks, including being approved as food contact substances or being subject to other regulatory pathways.

## Regulatory Status

In the United States, rosin and rosin derivatives have been approved for use in chewing gum bases under 21 CFR 184.1257 (Rosin). The regulatory status of this specific glycerol ester derivative is less explicitly defined in the Code of Federal Regulations. Manufacturers using this ingredient would typically rely on either prior FDA approval of similar rosin-based ingredients or would need to demonstrate safety through appropriate toxicological and use studies.

International regulatory bodies, including those in the European Union, maintain their own approval processes for food additives. The specific approval status of this compound may vary by country and region.

## Key Studies

Specific published toxicological studies on Rosin, Tall Oil, Glycerol Ester are limited in the publicly available scientific literature. Safety assessments for this compound would typically draw on:

- Historical safety data for rosin in food applications
- Toxicological profiles of tall oil and its derivatives
- General safety information on glycerol esters as food components
- Bioavailability and metabolism studies of similar compounds

Since this is a masticatory substance not intended for ingestion, exposure is limited to residual amounts that may be swallowed during chewing. This restricted exposure pathway affects the safety considerations compared to additives meant for systemic absorption.

Further research and safety documentation may be available through FDA submission files or manufacturer technical data, though not all such information is publicly accessible.

## Brands using Rosin, Tall Oil, Glycerol Ester

- Sparkling Ice (4 products)
- BODYARMOR (1 product)
- Coca cola (1 product)
- PRIME (1 product)
- snapple (1 product)

## Sources

- FDA Substances Added to Food (CFSAN)
- OpenFDA Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS)
- OpenFDA Food Recalls
- EFSA OpenFoodTox
- EU Food Additive Portal

## Citation

Additive Facts. "Rosin, Tall Oil, Glycerol Ester (E445) — Safety, regulation, and evidence." https://additivefacts.com/additives/rosin-tall-oil-glycerol-ester. Accessed 2026-05-20.