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Emulsifier

E472c (citric acid esters): what it is, its sources, vegan or not

E472c 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

E472c=source not stated

What is E472c?

E472c (citric acid esters) is an emulsifier, an additive that keeps oil and water mixed in a food.

What is E472c made from?

E472c 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 E472c vegan?

Heads up. Source not stated. E472c 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. E472c 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. E472c 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 E472c have on a label?

On a label, E472c can also appear as “INS 472c”, “Emulsifier (472c)”, “Emulsifier (E472c)”, “Citric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids” or “CITREM”.

Any of these on a pack means E472c. The checker reads them all.

E472cE 472cE-472cINS 472cEmulsifier (472c)Emulsifier (E472c)Citric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acidsCITREM

What would change the answer for E472c?

For E472c, 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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