Back to catalogSafety
E472aEmulsifierLow concern
Acetic Acid Esters of MDG
In plain words
The short version
Acetylated MDG (AcMG) — used as plasticizing agent and edible coating in bakery and confectionery.
Why it's green
It's widely considered safe at the amounts used in food, so we mark it green. The Safety section below has the details.
Safety profile
ADI not specified — considered safe. Hydrolyzed in digestion like other glyceride esters to fatty acids, glycerol, and acetic acid.
The detail
Manufactured by acetylating mono- and diglycerides (E471) with acetic anhydride. The acetylation replaces some hydroxyl groups, lowering the melting point and changing crystallinity behavior.
Used as a plasticizing agent in cake batters and icings (improves aeration and texture), as a moisture barrier in encapsulated flavors and edible coatings, and to stabilize powdered coffee whiteners.
Off-white to pale yellow waxy solid or viscous liquid depending on composition. Soluble in oils; partially water-dispersible.
Permitted globally without restrictive limits.
Sources
- EFSA FAF Panel — Re-evaluation of acetic, lactic, citric, tartaric, mono- and diacetyltartaric and mixed acetic and tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids (E 472a–f) (2020) — European Food Safety Authority (EFSA Journal 18(3):6032), via PubMed Central, 2020. safety: no numerical ADI needed for E 472a; hydrolysed to normal dietary constituents
- JECFA — Acetic and fatty acid esters of glycerol (INS 472a), evaluation 1973 — WHO / Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives, 1973. safety: JECFA ADI not limited
- 21 CFR 172.828 — Acetylated monoglycerides — US eCFR (Office of the Federal Register), 2026. regulation and origin: permitted in the US; made by acetylation with acetic anhydride or interesterification
- Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives, Annex II Part C, Group I (consolidated text of 18.08.2026) — EUR-Lex, Publications Office of the European Union, 2026. regulation: EU Group I additive at quantum satis
Checked against these sources on .
Educational information only. Not medical, dietary or veterinary advice. Spotted an error? Tell us.