Learn Glossary emulsifier

Mono- And Diglycerides, Diacetyltartaric Acid Esters(E472e)

Level 4Significant concernsIn Winter's Dictionary2 sources

Mono- And Diglycerides, Diacetyltartaric Acid Esters is a emulsifier — Emulsifier used in food, esters of mono- and diacetyltartaric acid with food fats

Also: DATEM

What it does

Emulsifier used in food, esters of mono- and diacetyltartaric acid with food fats

Where you'll see it

industrial bread (Pret a Manger, supermarket loaves), bakery products, ice cream

What the research says

Per van Tulleken: DATEM inserts into cell membranes mimicking biological lipids; ubiquitous in industrial UK bread (Pret, whose owner JAB Holding refused to remove emulsifiers). [ultra-processed-people] Lab experiments on cells show DATEM inserts itself into cell membranes — exactly the mechanism by which it may damage the gut barrier. Similar in structure to biological lipids, which is precisely why the body cannot distinguish friend from foe. Mechanism shared with other Chassaing-implicated emulsifiers.

Regulatory status

  • US FDA: ASP
  • EU: approved
  • Notes: JECFA temporary ADI of 25 mg/kg bw

Sources

  • Ultra-Processed People (van Tulleken)Chapter 14: Additive anxiety: DATEM seems able to insert itself into cell membranes, which may explain some of the findings ... about how they damage the gut
  • A Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives (Winter): Made by the interaction of diacetyltartaric anhydride and mono- and diglycerides