Is the food ingredient E471 from an animal source unless stated otherwise?

Answer 1

Name: E471 Category: Emulsifier Status:Depends Description: Manufactured from glycerin (see E422) and fatty acids, these are normally obtained from hydrogenated soya bean oil and as such may be genetically modified but the source maybe of animal origin aswell hence one must read the packaging to confirm suitable for vegetarians. Used where the foaming power of egg protein needs to be retained in the presence of fat and in baked goods as an 'anti-staling' agent where it prevents the loss of water from starches. Allegedly the most commonly used emulsifier in the food processing industry, it can be found in, amongst other foods, Black Forest gateau mix, cakes, hot-chocolate mix, aerosol creams, shaped crisps, quick custard mix, packet dessert topping, dehydrated potato, sponge puddings, sterilised, pasteurised and UHT cream, low-calorie cream and pasteurised low-fat cream, margarine and low fat spreads, and ice cream.

Actually E400 - E499 are Thickeners, Stabilisers and Emulsifiers

(some are also gelling agents too).

Emulsifiers are added to foods to help mix together ingredients that would otherwise normally separate. One example is oil and water, which wouldn't usually mix together sufficiently and examples of products with emulsifiers in include ice cream and mayonnaise. There are also a couple of gelling agents included in the E400 to E499 category, mainly where they also have another role, such as being a stabiliser or emulsifier. Gelling agents play a similar role as thickeners, as they basically help foods gel together better.

So some ingredients are from one source some are from more then one, some are natural some are man made. Sp make sure whats the original source of the product.

Here you can't say E471 is only Vegetarian or from animal. It depends on the company that makes it and puts in the product. You have to ask that each company od who's product you find in the market. For example if you pick up a bread and you see E471 then you have to ask that bread company to find out where they buy this E471 from and find out the source for you.

Good luck.

Imran