Foods Containing E476 (Polyglycerol Polyricinoleate)
E476 (Polyglycerol Polyricinoleate) is made from glycerol and castor oil, 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 E476
E476 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 E476 is to check its ingredients list, where it must be declared by law, either as "E476" or as "Polyglycerol Polyricinoleate".
How to spot E476 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: E476" or "emulsifiers: polyglycerol polyricinoleate". In the US the E-number system isn't used, so look for the full name "Polyglycerol Polyricinoleate" instead.
Should you avoid foods containing E476?
E476 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 E476.
Full guide to E476: 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).