Propylene Glycol Esters of Fatty Acids
E477
E477, INS 477, propylene glycol esters of fatty acids, propane-1,2-diol esters of fatty acids, propylene glycol fatty acid esters
What it is
Emulsifiers made by combining propylene glycol with fatty acids. During digestion they can be hydrolysed into propylene glycol and fatty acids.
Why BOTIA flags it
These emulsifiers break down into fatty acids and propylene glycol — the same compound used in food-system antifreeze and theatrical fog machines. That is why JECFA sets the intake limit in terms of the propylene glycol released, not the whole additive: that is what is being tracked. They are used, among other products, in industrial bakery products and ice cream.
BOTIA CAN
- Detect E477 and the principal propylene-glycol ester names used on labels.
- Explain that JECFA expresses the intake limit as released propylene glycol and show the Texture and E-number layers.
BOTIA CANNOT
- Determine how much E477 or how much propylene glycol a product will release from the ingredient list alone.
- Determine the exact fatty-acid composition or manufacturing feedstock from the declared name.