What is E472c?
Citric and fatty acid esters of glycerol (E472c) are emulsifying food additives used in specified formulations. Goodnessly rates E472c Safe within permitted uses and conditions.
Citric and fatty acid esters of glycerol is used in specified food applications. Check the food category, amount and full formulation rather than judging one ingredient in isolation.
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Read the FAQ →
What is Citric and fatty acid esters of glycerol?
Citric and fatty acid esters of glycerol are emulsifiers made from citric acid, fatty acids and glycerol-derived components. They help ingredients with different properties work together in a stable formulation.
What's it used for?
- Supporting emulsions
- Helping distribute fats and water-based ingredients
- Improving texture and processing performance
- Supporting stability in selected formulations
Where you'll find E472c on the shelf
It can appear in bakery products, emulsified foods, spreads and other formulations where an emulsifier is useful.
Is E472c permitted? What the regulators say
E472c is authorised or permitted in the three systems checked, with category, specification and use conditions applying.
| Region | Status | What this means |
|---|---|---|
| AU/NZ Australia & New Zealand (FSANZ) | Permitted with conditions | FSANZ Schedule 15 includes additive 472c citric and fatty acid esters of glycerol for specified food uses. |
| EU European Union (EFSA) | Authorised with conditions | E472c is included in the EU Union list for specified food categories and conditions. |
| US United States (FDA) | Permitted with conditions | FDA GRAS Notice 899 describes citric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides (CITREM) and records FDA having no questions for the specified intended uses; 21 CFR 172.832 separately covers the narrower monoglyceride citrate pathway. |
Goodnessly rates E472c Safe within its rating system. The rating does not remove the need to consider the product category, amount or full formulation.
- EFSA’s 2020 re-evaluation of E472a–f found no identified safety concern at reported uses and levels for E472c and said a numerical ADI was unnecessary.
- The EFSA reasoning included expected hydrolysis into normal dietary constituents, while the conclusion remains tied to the uses and specifications assessed.
- EFSA also sought further technical and toxicological information for E472c uses in foods for infants below 16 weeks; check the current opinion and conditions for those uses.
This section is checked periodically rather than continuously — if you're reading this well after the date above, it's worth confirming nothing has changed before citing it.
Who might want to limit or avoid it
- People checking emulsifiers in bakery and processed foods
- People comparing the texture and stability systems in emulsified products
- People who want to check the whole formulation rather than one functional ingredient alone
Goodnessly rates E472c Safe as a practical prompt to understand the ingredient, the product and the overall formulation.
How to spot it on a label
Look for:
- Citric and fatty acid esters of glycerol
- CITREM
- 472c or E472c
- Emulsifier (472c)
Ingredient labels may use the name, the number, or the additive class followed by the number.
Related additives
Frequently asked questions
What is E472c?
E472c is citric and fatty acid esters of glycerol, an emulsifier used in specified food formulations.
Is E472c permitted?
E472c is permitted with conditions in Australia/New Zealand and the EU. FDA GRAS Notice 899 covers specified CITREM intended uses, while other US rules cover narrower related substances.
Why is citric and fatty acid esters of glycerol rated Safe?
Goodnessly rates E472c Safe within its rating system, while the permitted use, specifications and full formulation still matter.
How does Goodnessly rate E472c?
Goodnessly rates E472c (citric and fatty acid esters of glycerol) as Safe.
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