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E473EmulsifierLow concern

Sucrose Esters of Fatty Acids

In plain words

The short version

Sucrose-derived emulsifiers — used in beverages, baking, and pharmaceutical formulations.

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

Safety profile

EFSA's group ADI for sucrose esters (E 473) and sucroglycerides (E 474) is 40 mg/kg body weight per day (2004); JECFA's group ADI is 0–30 mg/kg body weight. In 2018 and again in 2023, EFSA estimated that exposure to E 473 exceeded the group ADI for many population groups, while noting that the use data it received were not extensive. Hydrolyzes in digestion to sucrose and fatty acids, both normal nutritional components.

The detail

Sources

  1. EFSA — Re-evaluation of sucrose esters of fatty acids (E 473) in foods for infants below 16 weeks and follow-up of previous evaluations (2023) — EFSA (EFSA Journal 2023;21(4):7961, PMC copy), 2023. EFSA group ADI 40 mg/kg bw (E 473 + E 474); exposure exceeds it for many groups
  2. WHO JECFA database — Sucrose esters of fatty acids (INS 473) — WHO / JECFA, 2020. JECFA group ADI 0–30 mg/kg bw with sucroglycerides
  3. 21 CFR 172.859 — Sucrose fatty acid esters — US eCFR (Office of the Federal Register), 2026. US authorisation; fatty acids may come from tallow or vegetable oils
  4. EUR-Lex — Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, consolidated text 18.08.2026 (Annex II) — EUR-Lex (European Union), 2026. EU maximum levels per food category

Checked against these sources on .

Educational information only. Not medical, dietary or veterinary advice. Spotted an error? Tell us.