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Powdered cellulose

Powdered cellulose suppliers and sourcing guide

Powdered cellulose is purified, mechanically ground cellulose made from wood pulp or other plant fiber such as oat hulls or bamboo. The pulp is purified, bleached or left unbleached, and milled into fibers of a set length, without the acid hydrolysis step used to make microcrystalline cellulose. It is a white, tasteless, insoluble powder that brands buy as an anticaking agent for shredded cheese and seasonings, a bulking and fiber ingredient, and a filler or flow aid in capsules and tablets.

See suppliersWhat to ask for on the COA
Also known as
Cellulose powder · Cellulose, powdered · E460(ii) · CAS 9004-34-6
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of powdered cellulose

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

  • By fiber length

    Grades are sold by average fiber length; short fibers flow and pack like a powder, while long fibers hold water and add structure.

  • By source

    Wood pulp is most common; oat, bamboo and other plant-fiber grades are bought for labeling or allergen reasons.

  • Non-chlorine bleached

    Grades bleached without chlorine, needed for anticaking use in USDA organic products.

  • Pharmaceutical grade

    Powdered cellulose meeting the NF or Ph. Eur. monograph for tablet and capsule use.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

Identity
Color reaction with iodinated zinc chloride and IR spectrum, per the NF monograph.
Loss on drying
Moisture against the specification; high moisture reduces flow and anticaking performance.
Residue on ignition and water-soluble substances
Ash and the fraction that dissolves in water, both indicators of purity.
pH
pH of a water extract.
Fiber length and bulk density
Particle or fiber length distribution by sieve or laser method, plus bulk density, which affect flow and fill weight.
Microbiology
Total plate count, yeast and mold, coliforms or E. coli, and Salmonella, which matter most when the ingredient goes uncooked into powders, capsules or tablets.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Store sealed in a dry area off the floor, away from odors; cellulose absorbs moisture and smells from the air. It is chemically stable, and the supplier sets shelf life, often with retest of moisture and micro for older stock.

Lots and expiry dates

Fiber length, bulk density and whiteness can vary by lot and source. Record source plant and bleaching method per lot if you make organic, allergen or label claims.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

  • 7 CFR 205.605 allows cellulose in organic handling for limited uses, including powdered cellulose as a non-chlorine-bleached anticaking agent and filtering aid, and prohibits microcrystalline cellulose.

    Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)

  • Health Canada's List of Permitted Food Additives with Other Accepted Uses allows powdered cellulose as a bulking agent in batter and breading at up to 1%.

    Source: canada.ca (opens in a new tab)

  • Health Canada's Natural Health Products Ingredients Database lists powdered cellulose with non-medicinal purposes including absorbent, anticaking agent, binder, bulking agent, diluent and disintegrant.

    Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)

This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.

Powdered cellulose suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking powdered cellulose suppliers now

Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.

Sell powdered cellulose? Request a listing

Frequently asked questions

What forms of powdered cellulose can brands buy?

Common forms include by fiber length, by source, non-chlorine bleached and pharmaceutical grade. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for powdered cellulose include?

Expect identity, loss on drying, residue on ignition and water-soluble substances, pH, fiber length and bulk density and microbiology, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should powdered cellulose be stored?

Store sealed in a dry area off the floor, away from odors; cellulose absorbs moisture and smells from the air. It is chemically stable, and the supplier sets shelf life, often with retest of moisture and micro for older stock.

What is the regulatory status of powdered cellulose?

7 CFR 205.605 allows cellulose in organic handling for limited uses, including powdered cellulose as a non-chlorine-bleached anticaking agent and filtering aid, and prohibits microcrystalline cellulose. Health Canada's List of Permitted Food Additives with Other Accepted Uses allows powdered cellulose as a bulking agent in batter and breading at up to 1%. Health Canada's Natural Health Products Ingredients Database lists powdered cellulose with non-medicinal purposes including absorbent, anticaking agent, binder, bulking agent, diluent and disintegrant.

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