Sucrose esters of fatty acids
Function: Emulsifiers
E473 is the European food-additive number for Sucrose esters of fatty acids, an emulsifier that helps ingredients that normally separate, like oil and water, stay mixed. Sucrose esters of fatty acids (E473) is an emulsifier used as a food additive.
What is E473 used for?
Sucrose esters of fatty acids (E473) is an emulsifier that helps ingredients that normally separate, like oil and water, stay mixed. It is added during food production for a technological purpose rather than for nutrition. See all Emulsifiers (E-numbers).
Is E473 safe or restricted?
E473 faces restrictions under EU rules on how, where, or in what quantities it may be used. Forkin classifies it as “Restricted use” and does not make health claims. See the methodology for how regulatory levels are assigned, or the guide to how EU additives are approved, re-evaluated and banned.
Is E473 vegan or vegetarian?
Sucrose esters of fatty acids (E473) can be produced from plant, mineral, or animal-derived raw materials, and the ingredient list rarely states which source was used, so its vegan status genuinely depends on the specific product.
The production source can vary between manufacturers. The Forkin app shows product-specific vegan and vegetarian signals where available, based on ingredient and label data. Always read the label for allergens.
Which foods contain E473?
E473 appears in 2,838 of the 5.0 million products in Forkin's catalogue, most often in Chewing Gum, Candy & Sweets, and Granola Bars.
- Chewing Gum471
- Candy & Sweets205
- Granola Bars109
- Cakes106
- Caramel Candy97
- Coconut Milk83
- Pastry80
- Ice Cream80
Often appears alongside
Additives most frequently found in the same ingredient lists as E473 across the catalogue.
Counts reflect Forkin's independently enriched product catalogue and update as new products are added. They are not a market-share statistic.
Frequently asked questions about E473
- What is E473?
- E473 is the E-number for Sucrose esters of fatty acids, an emulsifier that helps ingredients that normally separate, like oil and water, stay mixed. Sucrose esters of fatty acids (E473) is an emulsifier used as a food additive.
- What is E473 used for?
- Sucrose esters of fatty acids (E473) is an emulsifier that helps ingredients that normally separate, like oil and water, stay mixed. Manufacturers add it during processing rather than for nutrition. The Forkin app shows which products in your scan history actually contain it.
- Which foods contain E473?
- E473 appears in 2,838 of the 5.0 million products in Forkin's catalogue, most often in Chewing Gum, Candy & Sweets, and Granola Bars. Scan any barcode with the Forkin app to see instantly whether a specific product contains it.
- Is E473 vegan or vegetarian?
- Sucrose esters of fatty acids (E473) can be produced from plant, mineral, or animal-derived raw materials, and the ingredient list rarely states which source was used, so its vegan status genuinely depends on the specific product. The Forkin app shows product-specific vegan and vegetarian signals where available, based on ingredient and label data, since the source can vary between manufacturers.
- Is E473 safe, and is it banned anywhere?
- E473 faces restrictions under EU rules on how, where, or in what quantities it may be used. Forkin classifies it as ‘Restricted use’ and does not make health claims. See the methodology page for how regulatory levels are assigned, and the Forkin app for the full profile, including acceptable daily intake (ADI) and restrictions by country.