Concerns about the safety of food additives have intensified among consumers, scientists, and policymakers. Ensuring the safety of these additives is crucial to public health. Carrageenan (CGN), a common additive in the food industry, has become the subject of controversy, particularly regarding whether it can be degraded in the gastrointestinal tract, forming degraded carrageenans (dCGNs) that may pose health risks. This study is among the first to identify