E471 - Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids
By the Daat team · Updated October 30, 2026
E471 is an emulsifier made from fat. It can be plant or animal fat, and the label does not say which.
It is one of the most widely used emulsifiers. It keeps bread and cake soft for longer and stops ice cream forming ice crystals. We found it in about 870 products in our catalog, mostly cakes and biscuits.
There is no way to tell from the label whether it was made from palm oil or beef fat. Some manufacturers use only plant sources, but they do not have to say so.
What can you do? A vegan certification on the pack settles it; otherwise only the manufacturer can answer. On a vegan profile, Daat marks the product as undetermined rather than passing it.
E471 at a glance
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids |
| Function | Emulsifier |
| Origin | Plant or animal - not stated on the label |
| Vegan / vegetarian | Depends on the source / Depends on the source |
Is E471 vegan?
You cannot tell from the label. E471 can come from a plant or an animal source; only a vegan certification or the manufacturer can settle it.