What is E244?
Complete guide to understanding chitosan in your food
The Quick Answer
E244 is chitosan, a natural preservative and antimicrobial agent extracted from crustacean shells (shrimp, crab, lobster, prawn), used to prevent bacterial growth, extend shelf life, and improve texture in food products.
It’s a biopolymer created by processing chitin (a natural polymer that makes up 15-40% of crustacean shells) through deacetylation. Unlike synthetic preservatives, E244 is fully biodegradable and derived from sustainable seafood processing byproducts.
Most people eating processed meat, fish products, baked goods, or fruits with protective coatings may consume E244, though it’s not yet as widely used as synthetic preservatives.
📌 Quick Facts
- Category: Natural Preservative & Antimicrobial Agent
- Found in: Processed meat, fish, baked goods, fruits, organic products
- Safety: FDA GRAS-approved, EFSA-approved, no numerical ADI needed
- Approved by: FDA, EFSA, international authorities
- Key Fact: Natural biopolymer; biodegradable; derived from crustacean shells
- ⚠️ ALLERGEN: Contains or derived from crustaceans—avoid if allergic
What Exactly Is E244?
E244 is chitosan, a natural biopolymer created by processing chitin extracted from crustacean shells.
More specifically, chitin is a natural polymer that comprises 15-40% of crustacean exoskeletons (shells of shrimp, crabs, lobsters, and prawns). Chitosan is produced by deacetylation of chitin—chemically removing acetyl groups while preserving the polymer structure. The result is a positively charged biopolymer with antimicrobial properties.
E244 is a natural polymer with strong antibacterial and antifungal properties, functioning as a preservative that prevents microbial spoilage. Unlike synthetic preservatives, it’s completely biodegradable and environmentally friendly.
In technical terms, E244 is a polycationic (positively charged) biopolymer that disrupts microbial cell walls and prevents bacterial growth through its antimicrobial mechanism.
Where You’ll Find E244
E244 appears in various food and beverage products requiring natural preservation or texture enhancement:
– Processed meat and meat products
– Fish and seafood products
– Cured and preserved meats
– Baked goods (especially organic/artisanal)
– Cheese products
– Fruit and vegetable products
– Fruits with protective coatings
– Confectionery and sweets
– Beverages (limited use)
– Natural/organic product lines
E244 is particularly popular in organic and natural product lines because it’s a plant-derived (from crustacean shells) alternative to synthetic preservatives. It’s less common than sorbates or benzoates but growing in use.
💡 Pro Tip: Look for “Chitosan” or “E244” on ingredient lists. Check for crustacean allergen warnings since E244 is derived from shells. It’s especially common in organic/natural meat products, frozen seafood, and artisanal baked goods marketed as “naturally preserved.”
How E244 Works in Food
E244 serves multiple functions in food preservation and quality enhancement.
As an antimicrobial preservative: E244’s antimicrobial properties prevent bacterial growth, mold development, and yeast proliferation. Its positively charged molecular structure disrupts microbial cell membranes, inhibiting pathogens without being toxic to humans. This extends shelf life significantly, particularly in meat, fish, and other protein-based products.
As an antioxidant: E244 prevents fat oxidation in meat and fish products, maintaining color, flavor, and nutritional quality. This prevents rancidity and discoloration that would otherwise occur during storage.
As a chelating agent: E244 binds heavy metals (through its molecular structure), preventing negative impacts on food quality and safety.
As a texture enhancer: In baked goods, E244 improves elasticity and moisture retention. In fruits and vegetables, it forms a protective coating that prevents drying while allowing natural respiration, maintaining freshness and appearance.
As a stabilizer: E244 stabilizes emulsions and maintains consistency in complex food systems.
Why Do Food Companies Use E244?
E244 provides manufacturers with a natural, sustainable, biodegradable preservative option that appeals to health-conscious consumers while delivering effective antimicrobial protection.
For companies pursuing “clean label” strategies (reducing synthetic additives), chitosan is an attractive alternative to synthetic preservatives like sorbates or benzoates. It’s derived from a waste byproduct (crustacean shells) from seafood processing, making it environmentally sustainable. Its effectiveness at preventing both bacterial and fungal spoilage makes it practical for protein-based products. Additionally, regulatory approval and FDA GRAS status make it a credible choice for premium and organic product lines.
Is It Safe?
Regulatory authorities worldwide classify E244 as safe for food use—with a particularly strong safety profile demonstrated by decades of use in dietary supplements.
The FDA classifies chitosan as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS). The EFSA has authorized it as a food additive. A 2025 EFSA review confirmed no toxicological concerns at approved use levels. Chitosan has been “freely available in health stores for decades” without documented clinically significant adverse effects.
Critical exception: Chitosan is derived from crustaceans and should NOT be used by individuals allergic to crustaceans.
✓ Safety Confirmed: The FDA classifies E244 as GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe). The EFSA confirmed no toxicological concerns in 2025. No adverse effects documented at food-use levels. Long history of safe use in dietary supplements for decades.
The EFSA’s 2025 Safety Assessment
The European Food Safety Authority’s most recent assessment (2025) reconfirms the safety of chitosan.
Key findings:
– No toxicological concerns identified
– Toxicological properties can be reliably assessed across chitosan variants
– Environmental levels: Following approved uses, environmental chitosan levels would be within or below natural background exposure
– Safety confirmed: At food-use levels, safety is established
– Low allergenicity concern: For residual proteins in food-grade chitosan
– Long history: Decades of safe use in dietary supplements
Potential Side Effects
At approved food use levels, no adverse effects are documented.
E244 is well-tolerated at food consumption levels. Regulatory reviews found no toxicological endpoints of concern.
At very high intakes (clinical study levels—far exceeding food use): Mild gastrointestinal discomfort has been observed in some studies, including temporary diarrhea, bloating, or vomiting. These mild effects occur only at doses far exceeding typical food consumption.
Critical concern – Crustacean allergy: Chitosan is derived from crustacean shells and contains residual proteins (0.05-1.0% depending on production). Individuals allergic to crustaceans should avoid products containing E244. Clinical experience indicates that “chitosan cannot be recommended to subjects allergic to crustaceans.”
How E244 Is Made
E244 is extracted and processed from crustacean shell waste through controlled deacetylation.
Manufacturing process:
1. Raw material collection: Shells from seafood processing byproducts (shrimp, crabs, lobsters, prawns)
2. Chitin extraction: Shells are treated to isolate chitin, a natural polymer comprising 15-40% of shells
3. Deacetylation: Chitin undergoes chemical treatment to remove acetyl groups, converting it to chitosan
4. Purification: The resulting chitosan is purified to food-grade specifications
5. Processing: Final product is prepared as powder or liquid concentrate
6. Result: Natural biopolymer preservative suitable for food use
E244 production uses sustainable waste materials from seafood processing. About 10 billion tons of chitin is produced annually from crustacean shell waste globally.
Sustainability and Environmental Benefits
E244 is exceptionally sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Sustainable sourcing: Chitosan is extracted from crustacean shell waste that would otherwise be discarded from seafood processing. This converts a waste byproduct into a valuable food additive.
Biodegradability: Unlike synthetic preservatives and especially plastic films, chitosan is completely biodegradable. Research shows chitosan-based films degrade significantly within one month when buried in soil, whereas plastic films remain completely intact.
Reduced synthetic use: By providing a natural preservative alternative, E244 can reduce the need for synthetic chemical preservatives in food systems.
Research applications: Scientists are developing biodegradable food packaging from chitosan combined with other natural biopolymers (like seaweed-derived agarose), creating packaging about 4 times stronger than alternatives while remaining fully compostable.
Vegan and Dietary Status
E244 is NOT suitable for vegan or vegetarian diets:
– Vegan ✗ – Derived from crustacean shells (animal source)
– Vegetarian ✗ – Derived from crustacean shells (animal source)
– Gluten-free ✓
– Natural ✓ – Derived from natural animal byproducts
– Kosher – Potentially, depending on certification
– Halal – Potentially, depending on certification and source
– Organic – Potentially, depends on organic certification standards
Critical Allergen Information
E244 is derived from crustaceans and presents an allergen risk for sensitive individuals.
While food-grade chitosan undergoes purification to minimize protein residue (0.05-1.0% depending on production method), allergenic proteins from crustacean sources may remain. Clinical literature specifically states that chitosan “cannot be recommended to subjects allergic to crustaceans.”
Products containing E244 should have clear allergen labeling indicating crustacean content or potential crustacean contamination. Individuals with crustacean allergies should carefully avoid E244-containing products.
Chitin Content in Crustacean Shells
Different crustaceans contain varying chitin levels:
– Shrimp/Prawn: 30-40% chitin content (highest)
– Crab: 15-30% chitin content
– Lobster: 15-25% chitin content (estimated)
These proportions affect the efficiency of chitosan extraction and the specific properties of the resulting E244.
Approved Use Levels
E244 is approved for specific food categories at regulated levels, with many applications on a “quantum satis” basis (as much as needed).
Exact maximum permitted levels vary by jurisdiction and food category:
– Meat and fish products: Defined limits (varies by application)
– Baked goods: Quantum satis in some jurisdictions
– Fruit and vegetable products: Quantum satis
– Cheese products: Variable limits
– Confectionery: Limited authorization in some regions
The flexibility of “quantum satis” use indicates the regulatory confidence in E244’s safety profile.
Regulatory Approval Across Regions
E244 is approved by major regulatory authorities worldwide:
– United States (FDA): GRAS – Generally Recognized As Safe
– European Union (EFSA): Authorized food additive
– International (FAO/WHO): Accepted
– Recent confirmation: 2025 EFSA review confirmed safety
This regulatory approval reflects international confidence in chitosan’s safety when used as intended in food.
Historical Information
E244 has a surprisingly long history of safe use:
– Decades of supplement use: Chitosan has been “freely available in health stores for decades” without significant adverse effects
– No clinically significant adverse effects documented over this extended period
– FDA GRAS approval: Based on this extended safety history
– Growing food industry use: Increasingly adopted as natural preservative option
Comparison with Other Preservatives
E244 differs significantly from common synthetic preservatives:
– Sorbic acid/potassium sorbate (E200-202): Synthetic; effective against fungi/bacteria; not biodegradable
– Benzoic acid/sodium benzoate (E210-211): Synthetic; effective against microbes; not biodegradable
– Sulfites (E220-228): Synthetic; primarily for wine; can trigger sulfite sensitivity
– Chitosan (E244): Natural; biodegradable; from sustainable byproducts; allergen consideration for crustacean-allergic
Future Applications
Chitosan research is expanding beyond food preservation into new applications:
– Biodegradable packaging: Chitosan films combined with seaweed biopolymers create strong, compostable food packaging
– Pharmaceutical delivery: Development as a drug delivery system
– Medical devices: Wound dressings and biomedical applications
– Environmental remediation: Heavy metal absorption from water
– Health benefits: Potential cholesterol management and prebiotic effects (under research)
The Bottom Line
E244 (chitosan) is a natural, biodegradable preservative and antimicrobial agent extracted from crustacean shells, used to extend shelf life and improve food quality.
It’s made through processing chitin extracted from crustacean shells (shrimp, crabs, lobsters, prawns) via deacetylation—removing acetyl groups while preserving the polymer structure.
Regulatory authorities worldwide (FDA GRAS, EFSA-approved, FAO/WHO-accepted) classify E244 as safe. A 2025 EFSA review confirmed no toxicological concerns at approved use levels.
E244 has decades of safe use history in dietary supplements without documented clinically significant adverse effects.
At approved food use levels, no adverse effects are documented. Only at very high clinical doses have mild gastrointestinal effects been observed.
E244 is environmentally sustainable, biodegradable (unlike plastic films), and derived from seafood processing waste.
Critical limitation: E244 is derived from crustaceans and is NOT suitable for individuals with crustacean allergies. Products must carry appropriate allergen warnings.
E244 is NOT vegan or vegetarian due to its crustacean origin.
Most people consuming processed meat, fish products, or premium/organic foods may encounter E244, though it’s less common than synthetic preservatives.