Foods Containing E472c (Citric Acid Esters of Mono- and Diglycerides)
E472c (Citric Acid Esters of Mono- and Diglycerides) is based on mono- and diglycerides, whose fats can be plant (including palm) or animal derived, 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 E472c
E472c 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 E472c is to check its ingredients list, where it must be declared by law, either as "E472c" or as "Citric Acid Esters of Mono- and Diglycerides".
How to spot E472c 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: E472c" or "emulsifiers: citric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides". In the US the E-number system isn't used, so look for the full name "Citric Acid Esters of Mono- and Diglycerides" instead.
Should you avoid foods containing E472c?
E472c 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 E472c.
Full guide to E472c: 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).