What is E476?
Polyglycerol esters of interesterified ricinoleic acid (E476) is an emulsifying food additive used to help control texture and stability in specified food applications. Goodnessly rates E476 Safe, while food-category permissions and regulator conditions still apply.
An emulsifying food additive used to help control texture and stability in specified food applications. Check the food category, amount and full formulation rather than judging one ingredient in isolation.
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What is Polyglycerol esters of interesterified ricinoleic acid?
Polyglycerol esters of interesterified ricinoleic acid is an emulsifying food additive used to help control texture and stability in specified food applications. Its function depends on the formulation and the conditions attached to the permitted use.
What's it used for?
- Helping maintain a consistent emulsion
- Supporting texture in permitted formulations
- Improving stability during processing
- Working at permitted levels and in permitted food categories
Where you'll find E476 on the shelf
You may see E476 in packaged foods where its technical function is useful and the food category permits it.
Is E476 permitted? What the regulators say
Polyglycerol esters of interesterified ricinoleic acid is listed or permitted in the checked AU/NZ, EU and US frameworks with conditions. Permission is conditional: category, level, identity and specifications matter.
| Region | Status | What this means |
|---|---|---|
| AU/NZ Australia & New Zealand (FSANZ) | Permitted with conditions | FSANZ lists the additive number in its food-additive materials; the permitted use, food category and conditions are set by the Food Standards Code. [FSANZ source] |
| EU European Union (EUR-Lex) | Authorised with conditions | The consolidated Union list includes the additive for specified categories and conditions; EU specifications and authorised uses were amended by Regulation (EU) 2023/1329. [EUR-Lex source] |
| US United States (FDA) | Permitted with conditions | 21 CFR 172.854 provides a US food-use pathway for polyglycerol polyricinoleate, subject to the section’s conditions. [FDA source] |
Goodnessly rates E476 Safe within its rating system. The rating does not remove the need to consider the product category, amount or full formulation.
- Regulation (EU) 2023/1329 amended EU authorised uses and specifications for this additive.
- The current sources checked for this draft do not state a new numerical ADI for this specific additive; this page does not infer one.
- Regulatory permissions can change; confirm the primary source when a product or use is unusual.
This section is checked periodically rather than continuously — confirm the current primary source before relying on a regulatory detail.
Who might want to limit or avoid it
- People comparing additive functions across products
- People checking the frequency of this ingredient in their usual foods
- People who want to consider the whole formulation and serving pattern
Goodnessly rates E476 Safe as a practical prompt to understand the ingredient, the product and the overall formulation.
How to spot it on a label
Look for:
- Polyglycerol esters of interesterified ricinoleic acid
- 476
- E476
- Additive class (476)
Ingredient labels may use the name, the number, or the additive class followed by the number.
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Frequently asked questions
What is E476?
E476 is Polyglycerol esters of interesterified ricinoleic acid, an emulsifying food additive used to help control texture and stability in specified food applications.
Is E476 permitted?
E476 is listed or permitted with conditions in Australia/New Zealand, the EU and the US sources checked for this draft.
What should I know about Polyglycerol esters of interesterified ricinoleic acid?
No numerical ADI for this specific additive was stated in the current primary sources checked for this draft.
How does Goodnessly rate E476?
Goodnessly rates E476 (Polyglycerol esters of interesterified ricinoleic acid) as Safe within its rating system.
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