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Emulsifier

E472b (lactic acid esters): what it is, its sources, vegan or not

E472b 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

E472b=source not stated

What is E472b?

E472b (lactic acid esters) is an emulsifier, an additive that keeps oil and water mixed in a food.

What is E472b made from?

E472b 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 E472b vegan?

Heads up. Source not stated. E472b 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. E472b 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. E472b 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 E472b have on a label?

On a label, E472b can also appear as “INS 472b”, “Emulsifier (472b)”, “Emulsifier (E472b)”, “Lactic acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids” or “LACTEM”.

Any of these on a pack means E472b. The checker reads them all.

E472bE 472bE-472bINS 472bEmulsifier (472b)Emulsifier (E472b)Lactic acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acidsLACTEM

What would change the answer for E472b?

For E472b, 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).

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