Gum from Austria, China, still under investigation

The U.S. International Trade Commission voted to continue investigating the import of xanthan gum from Austria and China following concerns that its hurting U.S. business.

The investigation by the Department of Commerce is looking into whether the imported gum is being sold below market value and therefore hurting American suppliers of the product, according to a press release from the trade commission.

Xanthan gum is used as a thickener in products like beverages and pharmaceuticals and in oilfields.  The exact amount the U.S. imports was "withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information," the release said.