INS 471 is the code for mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids
The most widely used emulsifier in baked goods, ice cream, margarine and bread - it keeps texture soft and stops separation.
- What it does
- Keeps oil and water mixed An emulsifier
- Also printed as
- E471
- Vegetarian?
- Depends on the maker Source not stated on the label
- In the Zabel score
- 2 of the 20 additive points Method 1.0.0
- In our catalogue
- 416 packs List it in their ingredients
Is INS 471 vegetarian?
It depends on the maker. INS 471 can be made from plant or animal sources and the label does not say which, so the code tells you nothing either way. The green or brown mark on the pack is the declaration to go by.
| Food category | Share | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| Biscuits and cookies | 29% | |
| Ice cream and frozen desserts | 22% | |
| Bread and buns | 14% | |
| Milk and dairy drinks | 6% | |
| Nuts and dried fruit | 6% | |
| Everything else | 24% |
Counted from the 416 packs in Zabel's catalogue that list INS 471, 374 of which have a food category so far. Counted 4 Nov 2026.
What does the evidence say about INS 471?
We grade an additive by the evidence about it, not by whether it sounds like a chemical, and we make no claim about whether a pack complies with FSSAI rules.
JECFA has set no numerical ADI and reviews have raised no safety concern at food levels. The live question is dietary: it is made from fats that may be plant or animal in origin, and Indian labels do not have to say which. A vegetarian mark on the pack is the only signal.
Does Zabel mark INS 471 down?
Yes, by 2 points. The additives part of the score starts at 20, and each code takes off a fixed amount set by the strength of the evidence about it, not by the fact that it is an additive (method 1.0.0). Read the method.
Questions people search
What is INS 471?
INS 471 is the code for mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids, an emulsifier. The most widely used emulsifier in baked goods, ice cream, margarine and bread - it keeps texture soft and stops separation.
Is INS 471 vegetarian?
It depends on the maker. INS 471 can be made from plant or animal sources and the label does not say which, so the code tells you nothing either way. The green or brown mark on the pack is the declaration to go by.
What does the evidence say about INS 471?
JECFA has set no numerical ADI and reviews have raised no safety concern at food levels. The live question is dietary: it is made from fats that may be plant or animal in origin, and Indian labels do not have to say which. A vegetarian mark on the pack is the only signal.
Does Zabel mark INS 471 down?
Yes, by 2 points. The additives part of the score starts at 20, and each code takes off a fixed amount set by the strength of the evidence about it, not by the fact that it is an additive (method 1.0.0).
What other names is INS 471 printed under?
Packs also print it as E471, or as the bare number 471 in brackets after the ingredient.
Sources
- 01 Evaluations of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) WHO / FAO, 2024
- 02 Zabel catalogue - pack counts, food categories and the codes printed alongside 4 Nov 2026
Entry updated 19 Sep 2026 · Not reviewed by a dietitian yet · Report an error on this page
Point the camera at the pack.
Zabel reads every INS code on it, shows the score, and shows the working.