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E472cEmulsifierLow concern
Citric Acid Esters of MDG (CITREM)
In plain words
The short version
CITREM — a strong, kid-friendly emulsifier used in infant formula, plant milks, and meat-analog foods.
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 (JECFA) — considered safe. EFSA's 2020 re-evaluation found no need for a numerical ADI, and a 2025 EFSA opinion found no safety concern for its use in formula for infants below 16 weeks of age. Hydrolyzed in digestion to citric acid, glycerol, and fatty acids — all normal dietary components.
The detail
Manufactured by esterifying mono- and diglycerides with citric acid. The citrate groups provide additional ionic character, making CITREM a stronger and more pH-tolerant emulsifier than plain MDG.
A workhorse emulsifier in infant formula (allowed where the more controversial polysorbates are restricted), plant milks (soy, oat, almond) for fat-droplet stabilization, meat-analog products, and non-dairy creamers. Provides reliable emulsion stability across a wide pH range.
Off-white to amber waxy solid or paste, with a slightly sour citrus note. Soluble in warm oils and water-dispersible.
Permitted globally — one of the few emulsifiers approved for infant formula in most jurisdictions.
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 472c (re-evaluation year 2020)
- EFSA FAF Panel — Re-evaluation of citric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids (E 472c) in foods for infants below 16 weeks of age and follow-up of its re-evaluation (2025) — European Food Safety Authority (EFSA Journal 2025, DOI 10.2903/j.efsa.2025.9202), via PubMed Central, 2025. safety and regulation: no safety concern in infant formula for infants below 16 weeks
- JECFA — Citric and fatty acid esters of glycerol (CITREM, INS 472c), evaluations 1973–2019 — WHO / Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives, 2019. safety: ADI not specified; infant formula use evaluated (2014)
- Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives, Annex II, category 13.1.1 Infant formulae (consolidated text of 18.08.2026) — EUR-Lex, Publications Office of the European Union, 2026. regulation: EU authorises E 472c in infant formula
Checked against these sources on .
Educational information only. Not medical, dietary or veterinary advice. Spotted an error? Tell us.