Foods Containing E470a (Sodium, Potassium and Calcium Salts of Fatty Acids)
E470a (Sodium, Potassium and Calcium Salts of Fatty Acids) is made from fatty acids that can come from plant oils (including palm) or animal fats, used as a emulsifier to help help mix ingredients that would normally separate, like oil and water. Here's where you're most likely to find it on food labels.
Common foods that contain E470a
E470a is used across bread, margarine, chocolate, ice cream, cakes and processed foods. The foods where it appears most often include:
- Bread
- Margarine
- Chocolate
- Ice cream
- Cakes and processed foods
Exact usage varies by brand and recipe — the only way to know for certain whether a specific product contains E470a is to check its ingredients list, where it must be declared by law, either as "E470a" or as "Sodium, Potassium and Calcium Salts of Fatty Acids".
How to spot E470a 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 "emulsifiers: E470a" or "emulsifiers: sodium, potassium and calcium salts of fatty acids". In the US the E-number system isn't used, so look for the full name "Sodium, Potassium and Calcium Salts of Fatty Acids" instead.
Should you avoid foods containing E470a?
E470a 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 E470a.
Full guide to E470a: 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).