Build my profileBuild my profile

Emulsifier

E472a (acetic acid esters): what it is, its sources, vegan or not

E472a can come from plant oils or animal fat, and the pack rarely says which. Vegetarian and vegan profiles get Heads up: source not stated.

By Bravoora teamUpdated Sources checked 4 sourcesHow we check

Heads up

for a vegan profile

E472a=source not stated

What is E472a?

E472a (acetic acid esters) is an emulsifier, an additive that keeps oil and water mixed in a food.

What is E472a made from?

E472a can come from plant oils or animal fat. The source is not stated on the pack: a label does not have to say which of these was used.

  • Plant oils
  • Animal fat

Is E472a vegan?

Heads up. Source not stated. E472a can come from plant oils or animal fat. The pack does not have to say which, so the app says Heads up instead of guessing.

What the app says to each profile, and the reason it shows.

VeganHeads upSource not stated. E472a can come from plant oils or animal fat. The pack does not have to say which, so the app says Heads up instead of guessing.
VegetarianHeads upSource not stated. E472a can come from plant oils or animal fat. One of those is meat, fish or a slaughter by-product, and the pack does not have to say which.

What other names does E472a have on a label?

On a label, E472a can also appear as “INS 472a”, “Emulsifier (472a)”, “Emulsifier (E472a)”, “Acetic acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids” or “ACETEM”.

Any of these on a pack means E472a. The checker reads them all.

E472aE 472aE-472aINS 472aEmulsifier (472a)Emulsifier (E472a)Acetic acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acidsACETEMAcetylated mono- and diglycerides

What would change the answer for E472a?

For E472a, a stated source changes the answer. A pack that says “from plant oils” gives Fits you; one that says “from animal fat” gives Not for you. A list that is cut off or unreadable gets Needs one more scan.

Sources: EU, US and Codex additive rules

Where additives are listed and approved. Bravoora reads the source and the diet; it does not rate the hazard.

  1. EU Regulation 1333/2008 on food additives (the E-number list)
  2. EU Regulation 1169/2011, Annex II: the allergen sources a label must name
  3. US FDA: Food Additive Status List
  4. FAO/WHO Codex: General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA) online

Names and classes cross-checked with Open Food Facts (Open Database License).

Create a website profile with the things you avoid and the people you check for.

Build my profile

Save and edit your profile on this website. App transfer is not available yet.