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Story: Seaweed

A carrageenan-producing seaweed

A carrageenan-producing seaweed

Carrageenan is an important chemical that is extracted from types of red seaweed. It is used extensively in the food industry as a gelling agent. High-quality carrageenans are produced by this native species, Gigartina atropurpurea. It forms wide leafy blades up to 50 centimetres long and is common on intertidal rocks all around the North Island, northern South Island and Chatham Islands.

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NIWA – National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research

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How to cite this page

Maggy Wassilieff, Seaweed – Modern uses and future prospects, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/4606/a-carrageenan-producing-seaweed (accessed 11 June 2026).

Story by Maggy Wassilieff, published 2 March 2009.

Comments

Jillinda Christenson
28 January 2014
I am concerned about Carrageenan usage in foods as its being used overseas to initiate IBD disease in Lab Rats. There are many Crohns patients who are now avoiding this product and finding relief from their symptoms. I think we should be investigating this asap to establish safety in the use of this product. My partner is seriously ill due to Crohns Disease and its been a very disturbing learning curve finding various chemicals in our so called health foods. I think we should be doing more to make our ingredient lists more complete and educating our people on what these ingredients are so they can make informed choices. Healthy labelled foods should not be able to label themselves as such without being 'real food' without additives.