What Products Contain Microcrystalline Cellulose?

December 21, 2025 •

4 min read

Over 85% of tablet-based medicines utilize microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) as a binder. This versatile plant-based derivative, refined from wood pulp, is a staple ingredient that provides critical functional properties in a vast array of processed foods, supplements, and personal care items.

Quick Summary

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) is a plant-derived ingredient serving as a stabilizer, binder, and filler in many consumer goods. It is present in pharmaceuticals, various processed foods, dietary supplements, and cosmetic formulations.

Key Points

Binder and Filler: In pharmaceuticals, microcrystalline cellulose is a critical excipient, serving as a binder in tablets and a filler in capsules to ensure consistent dosage and stability.
Stabilizer and Texturizer: In food production, MCC is used as a stabilizer and texturizer, giving products like ice cream and low-fat foods a smooth and consistent mouthfeel.
Anti-Caking Agent: In powdered food products such as spices and shredded cheese, microcrystalline cellulose prevents clumping and maintains a free-flowing texture.
Cosmetic Exfoliant: In the personal care industry, its fine powder form allows it to be used as a gentle, natural exfoliant in facial scrubs and skincare products.
Non-Digestible Fiber: As a non-caloric, non-digestible fiber, MCC adds bulk to foods and passes through the digestive system largely unabsorbed, making it a common ingredient in low-fat and diet items.
Widely Used and Safe: MCC is a staple in many industries due to its versatility and high safety rating, including GRAS status from the FDA.

What is Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC)?

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) is a purified, partially depolymerized form of cellulose, which is a natural polymer found in the cell walls of plants. Primarily sourced from wood pulp or cotton, it undergoes a refining process using mineral acids to isolate the crystalline regions of the cellulose, resulting in a fine, white, and odorless powder. In its powdered form, MCC is inert, meaning it does not react with other ingredients, and is insoluble in water. These properties make it a highly desirable and versatile ingredient for numerous industrial applications, particularly in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic sectors. The ability of MCC to function as a binder, stabilizer, texturizer, and filler explains its widespread use in countless everyday products.

Products Containing Microcrystalline Cellulose

Processed Food and Beverages

In the food industry, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) is approved for use as a thickener, stabilizer, emulsifier, and texturizer, identified by the E number E460(i) in Europe. Its ability to retain moisture and act as an anti-caking agent makes it valuable for maintaining product quality and consistency.

Common food products with microcrystalline cellulose:

Processed cheese: Used to prevent shredded cheese from clumping together.
Low-fat and low-calorie products: Acts as a bulking agent, replacing higher-calorie ingredients like fat without compromising texture or volume.
Baked goods: Enhances texture and moisture retention in commercial breads, cakes, and gluten-free products.
Dairy products: Improves the texture and consistency of ice cream, yogurts, and other frozen desserts.
Sauces, dressings, and condiments: Serves as a stabilizer and emulsifier to maintain a smooth texture and prevent ingredients from separating.
Processed meat: Incorporated into sausages and luncheon meats to enhance texture and control moisture.
Powdered foods: Acts as an anti-caking agent in spices, seasonings, and powdered drink mixes like instant coffee.

Pharmaceuticals and Dietary Supplements

Microcrystalline cellulose is a primary excipient, or inactive ingredient, in pharmaceutical manufacturing, prized for its excellent binding and compressibility properties. It is integral to the production of tablets and capsules.

Common pharmaceutical and supplement uses:

Tablets: Used as a binder to hold active ingredients and other excipients together during the compression process, creating a strong, durable tablet.
Capsules: Functions as a filler or diluent to achieve the necessary volume for accurate dosing, especially for low-dose medications.
Disintegrants: Promotes the rapid breakdown of tablets in the digestive system, ensuring the active drug is released and absorbed efficiently.
Controlled-release formulations: Helps modulate the release of active ingredients over time in some drug formulations.
Dietary fiber supplements: Utilized for its fibrous nature and non-caloric bulk.
Nutritional supplements: Acts as a filler and binder for vitamins and minerals in tablet or capsule form.

Cosmetics and Personal Care

In the cosmetics industry, MCC is used as a natural, biodegradable ingredient for its texturizing and absorbent properties.

Common cosmetics containing microcrystalline cellulose:

Facial scrubs and exfoliants: Its finely milled particles act as a gentle physical exfoliant to remove dead skin cells.
Makeup powders: Serves as a filler, absorbent, and anti-caking agent to improve texture and flowability.
Creams, lotions, and serums: Acts as a texturizer and emulsion stabilizer to provide a smooth, consistent feel.
Hair products: Found in some shampoos and styling products for texture and stability.
Bath and body products: Used in formulations for bath products and shaving creams.

Microcrystalline Cellulose Across Industries: A Comparison


Feature	Food Industry	Pharmaceutical Industry	Cosmetic Industry
Primary Role	Stabilizer, texturizer, anti-caking agent, fat replacer, bulking agent	Excipient (binder, filler, disintegrant), stabilizer	Exfoliant, texturizer, absorbent, anti-caking agent
Example Products	Processed cheese, ice cream, sauces, low-fat items, baked goods	Tablets, capsules, dietary supplements, controlled-release drugs	Makeup powders, facial scrubs, lotions, creams
Effect on Product	Improves texture, prevents clumping, extends shelf life, adds bulk	Ensures tablet cohesion, aids disintegration, enables consistent dosing	Provides gentle exfoliation, enhances product texture, stabilizes emulsions
Regulatory Status	Designated as E460(i) in Europe, Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by FDA	Highly regulated as an excipient (e.g., USP, Ph. Eur compliant)	Considered safe for cosmetic use, often vegan and biodegradable

Understanding the Safety and Side Effects

Microcrystalline cellulose is widely recognized as safe for human consumption by regulatory bodies like the FDA and EFSA, which have designated it a GRAS substance. The human body does not absorb MCC, as it passes through the digestive tract essentially unchanged, acting as a form of non-digestible dietary fiber. This property is why it is often used as a bulking agent without contributing calories.

Despite its excellent safety profile, excessive consumption of MCC, like any fiber, can cause minor gastrointestinal side effects in some individuals. These can include bloating, gas, stomach upset, or a change in bowel movements. Allergic reactions are rare but have been reported, with symptoms like rashes or difficulty breathing. In pharmaceutical contexts, adhering to good manufacturing practices and proper formulation helps mitigate potential issues.

Conclusion

Microcrystalline cellulose is far more than just a filler; it is a critical, versatile ingredient that plays a pivotal role in maintaining the quality, stability, and effectiveness of a wide spectrum of everyday consumer products. From ensuring your vitamin tablets stay intact to preventing your shredded cheese from clumping, its applications are widespread and impactful. Its plant-based origin and robust safety profile, backed by regulatory bodies, have cemented its place in food science, medicine, and personal care. As manufacturers continue to meet consumer demand for clean-label, plant-derived ingredients, the use of microcrystalline cellulose is likely to remain a prevalent and important part of product formulation. To learn more about its regulatory status, you can visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, microcrystalline cellulose is generally considered safe for human consumption by regulatory bodies like the FDA and EFSA. It is not absorbed by the body and acts as a dietary fiber.

Yes, microcrystalline cellulose is derived from plant sources, such as wood pulp or cotton, and contains no animal products. It is therefore suitable for vegans and vegetarians.

While generally safe, consuming excessive amounts of MCC, like any fiber, can lead to gastrointestinal side effects such as bloating, gas, and stomach cramps. Mild allergic reactions are rare but have been reported.

Microcrystalline cellulose is added to shredded cheese as an anti-caking agent. It absorbs excess moisture, which helps prevent the cheese from clumping together in the package.

No, because microcrystalline cellulose is a non-digestible fiber that is not absorbed by the human body, it does not contribute any calories to food products. It is often used to add bulk to low-calorie foods.

Microcrystalline cellulose is derived from the cellulose found in plant cell walls, making its origin natural. However, it undergoes a refining process, so whether it is considered 'natural' by all consumers can vary.

The primary role of MCC in tablets is to act as a binder and disintegrant. It provides the necessary binding strength to form a solid tablet and helps the tablet break apart quickly in the body to release the active ingredients.