E472 - Esters of mono- and diglycerides
By the Daat team · Updated October 30, 2026
E472 is a family of emulsifiers built on E471. Like E471, the fat can be plant or animal.
The letter after the number (a to f) tells you which acid was bonded to the fat. E472e, for instance, is very common in bread, and in our catalog bread is indeed where this family shows up most.
114 products in our catalog contain E472, or 0.7% of those with an ingredient list. Most of them are bread and cakes, biscuits and pastries.
E472 at a glance
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Esters of mono- and diglycerides |
| Also listed as | E472a to E472f, DATEM |
| Function | Emulsifier |
| Origin | Plant or animal - not stated on the label |
| Vegan / vegetarian | Depends on the source / Depends on the source |
Is E472 vegan?
You cannot tell from the label. E472 can come from a plant or an animal source; only a vegan certification or the manufacturer can settle it.