Commission Directive 2008/84/EC (repealed)Show full title

E 475 POLYGLYCEROL ESTERS OF FATTY ACIDS

Note: Purity criteria apply to the additive free of sodium, potassium and calcium salts of fatty acids, however these substances may be present up to a maximum level of 6 % (expressed as sodium oleate).
Synonyms	Polyglycerol fatty acid esters
	Polyglycerin esters of fatty acid esters
Definition	Polyglycerol esters of fatty acids are produced by the esterification of polyglycerol with food fats and oils or with fatty acids occurring in foods fats and oils. The polyglycerol moiety is predominantly di-, tri- and tetraglycerol and contains not more than 10 % of polyglycerols equal to or higher than heptaglycerol
Assay	Content of total fatty acid ester not less than 90 %
Description	Light yellow to amber, oily to very viscous liquids; light tan to medium brown, plastic or soft solids; and light tan to brown, hard, waxy solids
Identification
A. Positive tests for glycerol, for polyglycerols and for fatty acids
B. Solubility	The esters range from very hydrophilic to very lipophilic, but as a class tend to be dispersible in water and soluble in organic solvents and oils
Purity
Sulphated ash	Not more than 0,5 % determined at 800 ± 25 oC
Acids other than fatty acids	Not detectable
Free fatty acids	Not more than 6 % estimated as oleic acid
Total glycerol and polyglycerol	Not less than 18 % and not more than 60 %
Free glycerol and polyglycerol	Not more than 7 %
Arsenic	Not more than 3 mg/kg
Lead	Not more than 5 mg/kg
Mercury	Not more than 1 mg/kg
Cadmium	Not more than 1 mg/kg
Heavy metals (as Pb)	Not more than 10 mg/kg