Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), also known as cellulose gum, is a food additive with a variety of functions, including use as a thickener, stabilizer, emulsifier, texture enhancer, and preservative. It is commonly found in sauces, dressings, ice cream, and baked goods. CMC is produced through a chemical modification of cellulose, a natural polymer found in plant cell walls, primarily derived from wood pulp or cotton. Cellulose is treated with chloroacetic acid and an alkali to form carboxymethyl groups onto its molecular structure, resulting in CMC.