Foods Containing E1518 (Glyceryl Triacetate)
E1518 (Glyceryl Triacetate) is made from glycerol, which can be plant (including palm) or animal derived, used as a humectant to help keep foods moist and stop them drying out. Here's where you're most likely to find it on food labels.
Common foods that contain E1518
E1518 is used across cakes, sweets, dried fruit, chewing gum and soft baked goods. The foods where it appears most often include:
- Cakes
- Sweets
- Dried fruit
- Chewing gum and soft baked goods
Exact usage varies by brand and recipe — the only way to know for certain whether a specific product contains E1518 is to check its ingredients list, where it must be declared by law, either as "E1518" or as "Glyceryl Triacetate".
How to spot E1518 on a label
In the UK and EU, additives must appear in the ingredients list with their function and either their E-number or full name — for example "humectants: E1518" or "humectants: glyceryl triacetate". In the US the E-number system isn't used, so look for the full name "Glyceryl Triacetate" instead.
Should you avoid foods containing E1518?
E1518 is considered safe. It is authorised across the EU, UK and US, and safety evaluations by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have not identified health concerns at the levels used in food. For most people there is no reason to avoid E1518.
Full guide to E1518: safety, vegan and halal status →
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Additive data sourced from Open Food Facts (ODbL licence) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).