Ethoxylated Mono- and Di-Glycerides
Function: Emulsifiers
E488 is the European food-additive number for Ethoxylated Mono- and Di-Glycerides, an emulsifier — helps ingredients that normally separate, like oil and water, stay mixed. Ethoxylated Mono- and Di-Glycerides (E488) is a food additive used as a food additive.
What is E488 used for?
Ethoxylated Mono- and Di-Glycerides (E488) is an emulsifier — 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 E488 safe or restricted?
E488 is an approved food additive in the EU and currently carries no special regulatory restrictions in the EU additive register. Forkin classifies it as “No known concern” 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 E488 vegan or vegetarian?
Ethoxylated Mono- and Di-Glycerides (E488) is typically produced from plant, mineral, or synthetic sources, so it is generally suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
The production source can vary between manufacturers — the Forkin app shows the verified vegan and vegetarian status per product. Always read the label for allergens.
Which foods contain E488?
E488 appears in 554 of the 4.7 million products in Forkin's catalogue — most often in White Bread, Bread, and Bread Rolls / Buns.
- White Bread137
- Bread83
- Bread Rolls / Buns81
- Whole Wheat Bread35
- Sandwiches17
- Pastry16
- Cakes13
- Frozen Meals8
Often appears alongside
Additives most frequently found in the same ingredient lists as E488 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 E488
- What is E488?
- E488 is the E-number for Ethoxylated Mono- and Di-Glycerides, an emulsifier — helps ingredients that normally separate, like oil and water, stay mixed. Ethoxylated Mono- and Di-Glycerides (E488) is a food additive used as a food additive.
- What is E488 used for?
- Ethoxylated Mono- and Di-Glycerides (E488) is an emulsifier — 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 E488?
- E488 appears in 554 of the 4.7 million products in Forkin's catalogue — most often in White Bread, Bread, and Bread Rolls / Buns. Scan any barcode with the Forkin app to see instantly whether a specific product contains it.
- Is E488 vegan or vegetarian?
- Ethoxylated Mono- and Di-Glycerides (E488) is typically produced from plant, mineral, or synthetic sources, so it is generally suitable for vegans and vegetarians. The Forkin app shows the verified vegan and vegetarian status per product, since the source can vary between manufacturers.
- Is E488 safe, and is it banned anywhere?
- E488 is an approved food additive in the EU and currently carries no special regulatory restrictions in the EU additive register. Forkin classifies it as ‘No known concern’ 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.
See the full profile in Forkin
The Forkin app surfaces the full regulatory profile of E488 — acceptable daily intake (ADI), restrictions by country, vegan and vegetarian status, alternative names, and which products in your scan history contain it. See view pricing.