My diet:

E477 Propylene glycol esters of fatty acids

E477EmulsifiersOrigin: Plant or animal
Get a personal answer

Pick your family’s diets in the bar above.

Every diet

VeganDepends

The fatty acids on these propylene glycol esters may be animal or vegetable.

Gluten-freeYes
HalalDepends

These esters need a halal check on the fat.

KosherDepends

These esters need a kosher check on the fat.

KetoYes
Low-FODMAPYes
The short answer
Propylene glycol esters (E477) are emulsifiers used in cakes, whipped toppings and powdered foams. They are allowed with limits. They are not ethylene glycol, and the fat source may or may not be vegan.
Use in moderation

Safe in small amounts; may bother some people or raise blood sugar.

E-numberE477
Comes fromPlant or animal
What it doesEmulsifiers
Glycemic index—
Daily limitNot set
Also calledPropylene glycol esters of fatty acids, Propylene glycol mono- and diesters

Rules by country

🇺🇸 US FDAApproved with limits
🇪🇺 European UnionApproved with limits
🇨🇦 Health CanadaApproved with limits
CaliforniaNo extra rules

Propylene glycol esters of fatty acids are approved with food-category limits in the US, the EU and Canada. They inherit the questions around propylene glycol itself, plus the unknown fat source. They are emulsifiers, not the antifreeze chemical ethylene glycol.

Daily limit: Experts haven’t set a number because normal food amounts are far below any level of concern.

What is it?

The propylene glycol end mixes toward water and the fatty acid end mixes toward oil. That makes them useful in cake mixes and dessert toppings that have to hold air for a long time on a shelf.

Where it comes from: These esters pair propylene glycol with fatty acids. The glycol is synthetic. The fatty acids may be from vegetable oil or animal fat.

Why it’s in food

  • Stabilizes cake mixes
  • Holds whipped toppings
  • Improves powdered foams
  • Emulsifies icings

Often found in

Cake mixesWhipped toppingsIcingsDessert powdersNon-dairy creamer

Also listed as: Propylene glycol esters of fatty acids, Propylene glycol mono- and diesters

Health & gut impact

LimitsUnder study

Regulators cap propylene glycol esters by food category because the glycol portion counts toward propylene glycol intake.

EFSA re-evaluation of propylene glycol esters of fatty acids

Not car antifreezeConcern

The glycol here is propylene glycol, a food additive, chemically different from ethylene glycol.

JECFA evaluation of propylene glycol esters

What can I use instead?

Lecithin

Ratio: Recipe dependent

Best for: Cake batter

Mono- and diglycerides

Ratio: Baker's ratio

Best for: Crumb and foam

Related

More emulsifiers:

Ammonium phosphatides E442Ammonium phosphatides (E442) are a chocolate emulsifier made from vegetable oil. They are an alternative to soy lecithin when a recipe needs chocolate to flow, and they are considered safe.Generally safeBrominated vegetable oil (BVO)Brominated vegetable oil (BVO) kept the citrus flavor from floating to the top of some sodas. The FDA banned it in 2024 because of thyroid effects, so check older or imported citrus drinks.Best to avoidDATEM (Diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides) E472eDATEM (E472e) is a dough strengthener that gives sandwich bread its tall, soft crumb. It's safe, but the fat it's made from may be animal-based.Generally safeLecithin (Soy / Sunflower) E322Lecithin (E322) is a natural fat from soy or sunflower that keeps chocolate, dressings and baked goods smooth. It's safe, vegan and gluten-free. People with a soy allergy should look for sunflower lecithin.Generally safe

Common questions

Are propylene glycol esters the same as propylene glycol?

E1520 is propylene glycol itself, used as a carrier. E477 is that glycol bonded to fatty acids and used as an emulsifier.

Is Propylene glycol esters of fatty acids safe?

Use in moderation (68/100). Propylene glycol esters of fatty acids are approved with food-category limits in the US, the EU and Canada. They inherit the questions around propylene glycol itself, plus the unknown fat source. They are emulsifiers, not the antifreeze chemical ethylene glycol.

Is Propylene glycol esters of fatty acids vegan?

Depends. The fatty acids on these propylene glycol esters may be animal or vegetable.

Spotted a mistake on this page? Report it ›

Scientific sources & regulatory citations
  • EFSA OpenFoodTox: E477
  • EFSA re-evaluation of propylene glycol esters of fatty acids
  • JECFA evaluation of propylene glycol esters

INS 477