E472cAntioxidant · Emulsifier · Sequestrant · Stabiliser
Citric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids
What the research shows
Not enough
published research on this page yet
Used in food as an antioxidant, emulsifier, sequestrant or stabiliser.
- May not be vegan
- May not be vegetarian
- EU permitted
What research says
Study type not stated
-
No harm found
Additive use in baby formula1
Citric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids raised no safety concern in formula for babies under 16 weeks.
The signal at the top counts the findings in people and in animal and lab studies. A concern in studies of people outranks animal and lab studies, and “No concerns” needs at least one finding in people. When most findings in people point one way, the page leans that way (“Mostly”), and every finding is still shown. Findings whose study type is not stated are shown but not counted. This page is a reference, not medical advice. It describes what regulators and published research say. Talk to a doctor or dietitian about your own diet.
What expert reviews concluded
Expert panels that weigh all the research. Shown for context: the signal at the top does not count them.
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UN and WHO food additive experts (JECFA), 2014
No daily limit needed (“ADI not specified”, JECFA’s term for very low toxicity).
Regulatory status
Checked Sep 2026-
European Union Permitted EUR-Lex Reg. (EC) 1333/2008
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United Kingdom Permitted FSA retained EU law
Status reflects the named register on the date checked. It is not a safety rating. A country appears here once we've found this ingredient on its official list.
How we checkProducts
The 6 most-scanned of 59 products on Open Food Facts that list citric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids.
- Cream of asparagus with croutons Batchelors · 117 g 3 additives
- Reduced Fat Brussels Pâté Aldi · 175 g 5 additives
- Mini BN 4 additives
- Iced & spiced fruited buns Marks And Spencer · 170 g 5 additives
- Deluxe BRUSSELS PÂTÉ WITH CARAMELISED SHALLOTS A S Deluxe 11 additives
- Reduced fat smooth brussels pâté Birchwood · 175 g 5 additives
References
- 1Castle L, Andreassen M, Aquilina G, et al. Re-evaluation of citric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids (E 472c) as a food additive in foods for infants below 16 weeks of age and follow-up of its re-evaluation. EFSA J. 2025;23(1):e9202. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2025.9202