Guar the use of guar gum in the hydraulic fracturing (fracking) extraction of oil and shale gas, the demand has increased substantially. Only 10% of the Indian production stays within the country and the remaining 90% is exported for shale gas and oil industries. Consequently, many former cotton or wheat fields are converted into guar fields as production costs are also lower. But the increase of guar gum prices also has other reasons. Guar The Guar or cluster bean, with the botanical name Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, is an annual legume and the source of guar gum. It is also known as Gavar,
Guar gum also known to cause small sores or lesions as well as chronic diarrhea (IBS). Manufacturers and suppliers will sometimes substitute guar Gum, xanthan gum and cellulose gum in formulations, without changing product labels. Often, blends of all these ingredients are sold as cellulose gum. If allergic to guar gum, the most common foods to suspect contamination from are frozen dairy/ice treats, soft cheeses (cream cheese, ricotta), salad dressing and baked goods. In July 2007, the European Commission issued a health warning to its member states after high levels of dioxins were detected in a food additive - guar gum -