

The etherification of cellulose disrupts the hydrogen bonding and the resulting compounds are not ionised and more water soluble. The EFSA ANS Panel (2018) concluded that modified celluloses including ethyl and methyl, hydroxypropyl celluloses, would not be absorbed intact and not fermented in the gastrointestinal tract of animals (rat) or humans; they are excreted essentially unchanged mainly via the faeces (more than 90% of the administrated doses), while only minor amounts of metabolites and derived-products are excreted via urine or expired air (as 14CO2) and there is no indication for accumulation in the body.
