What it is
E472 is a family covering six closely-related emulsifiers, distinguished by suffix:
- E472a — acetic acid esters
- E472b — lactic acid esters
- E472c — citric acid esters
- E472d — tartaric acid esters
- E472e — diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides ("DATEM")
- E472f — mixed acetic and tartaric acid esters
All start from glycerol + fatty acids; like E471, those fatty acids may be plant or animal in origin.
Why it matters
Common in bread (especially E472e/DATEM), cakes, ice cream, processed meats, and infant formula. The suffix is sometimes omitted on labels, leaving only "E472" as a clue.
What to do
Same as E471: variable. Default expectation in the modern UK is plant-sourced (usually palm), but ask the manufacturer to confirm for any product where ingredient sourcing matters.