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E472bEmulsifierLow concern
Lactic Acid Esters of MDG
In plain words
The short version
Lactylated MDG (LACTEM) — used as a whipping aid and crumb-softener in bakery and dairy.
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 to lactic acid, glycerol, and fatty acids, all normal dietary components.
The detail
Manufactured by esterifying mono- and diglycerides (E471) with lactic acid. The lactate groups improve interfacial behavior and produce a fine, stable foam structure.
Used in cake mixes for crumb softness and aeration, in whipped toppings for foam stability, in instant desserts, and in powdered coffee whitener. Particularly effective at stabilizing the air bubbles in whipped non-dairy systems.
Off-white waxy solid or paste. Soluble in warm oils; disperses in warm water. Stable in storage.
In the EU it is a Group I additive, authorised at quantum satis (no fixed numerical limit) in the food categories where Group I additives are allowed; its only numerical maximum level is 5,000 mg/kg in processed cereal-based foods and baby foods for infants and young children (combined with E 471, E 472a and E 472c). In the US it may be used as an emulsifier and plasticizer in amounts not exceeding those reasonably required (21 CFR 172.852).
Sources
- EFSA — Re-evaluation of acetic, lactic, citric, tartaric, mono- and diacetyltartaric, mixed acetic and tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids (E 472a-f) as food additives (2020) — EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings (FAF), EFSA Journal 18(3):6032, 2020. No numerical ADI for E 472b; hydrolysed to normal dietary constituents
- JECFA — Lactic acid esters of mono- and diglycerides (INS 472b), evaluation summary — WHO / Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives, 1973. JECFA ADI not limited
- Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives, consolidated text (18.08.2026), Annex II Group I — EUR-Lex (European Union), 2026. EU authorisation at quantum satis (Group I)
- US 21 CFR 172.852 — Glyceryl-lacto esters of fatty acids — US eCFR (Office of the Federal Register), 2026. US permitted use as emulsifier and plasticizer
Checked against these sources on .
Educational information only. Not medical, dietary or veterinary advice. Spotted an error? Tell us.