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E474EmulsifierLow concern
Sucroglycerides
In plain words
The short version
A mixture of sucrose esters and mono- and diglycerides — a one-shot dairy and bakery emulsifier.
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 of 40 mg/kg body weight (combined sucrose esters and sucroglycerides). Considered safe at typical use levels. Hydrolyzed in digestion to sucrose, glycerol, and fatty acids — all normal dietary components.
The detail
Manufactured by transesterification of sucrose with triglyceride fats — yields a mixed product of sucrose mono- and diesters together with mono- and diglycerides. The mixture's combined HLB is intermediate between the pure sucrose ester (E473) and pure MDG (E471).
Used as a single-ingredient emulsifier in dairy desserts, ice creams, baked goods, and beverage emulsions where the mixed HLB delivers both o/w and w/o stabilization. Common in clouding-agent applications for beverages.
White to slightly yellow powder or waxy solid. Solubility behavior depends on the specific HLB of the lot.
Permitted globally with maximum levels per category.
Sources
- EFSA ANS Panel — Scientific Opinion on the exposure assessment of sucrose esters of fatty acids (E 473) from its use as food additive (2012) — EFSA (EFSA Journal), 2012. Safety: EFSA group ADI of 40 mg/kg bw/day for E 473 and E 474
- WHO JECFA database — Sucroglycerides (INS 474) — WHO / FAO Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives, 1997. Safety: JECFA group ADI (0–30 mg/kg bw) for sucrose esters and sucroglycerides
- Commission Regulation (EU) No 1129/2011 establishing the Union list of food additives — Publications Office of the EU (Official Journal L 295), 2011. Regulation: E 474 is an authorised EU food additive
Checked against these sources on .
Educational information only. Not medical, dietary or veterinary advice. Spotted an error? Tell us.