Gum Arabic

Gum Arabic
 

News: Trade and access to a crucial ingredient in fizzy drinks brought to a standstill as the conflict escalates in Sudan.
 

Background:
 Gum arabic is mostly grown in Sudan, with up to 70 per cent of the world’s supply transported through small towns to the capital Khartoum, the scene of mass violence.
 For companies like Pepsi and Coke, they can't exist without having gum arabic in their formulations.
 

What is Gum Arabic?
 It is a natural gum derived from the hardened sap of two species of the Acacia tree – Senegalia Senegal and Vachellia seyal.
 The gum is harvested commercially from wild trees, mostly in Sudan and throughout the Sahel region.
 It is soluble in water, edible and used primarily in the food industry and soft-drink industry as a stabiliser.
 It is also used in printing, paints, glues, cosmetics, and viscosity control in inks and textile industries.