Is DATEM (E472e) Vegan?

Vegan status: Depends on Source

E-number: E472e

Also known as: Diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides, Diacetyltartaric acid ester of monoglyceride

Source

Produced from mono- and diglycerides (which can be plant or animal-derived) reacted with tartaric acid and acetic acid. The vegan status depends entirely on the source of the mono- and diglycerides used — which is almost never declared on the label.

Commonly found in

Commercial bread, rolls, baguettes, pizza bases, pastry. A dough strengthener and volume improver used in industrial baking.

Vegan alternative: Contact the manufacturer to ask about the source of the mono- and diglycerides used in their DATEM.

Notes

DATEM is closely related to E471 (mono- and diglycerides) in terms of the vegan status problem — both can be plant or animal-derived and neither requires source declaration. In practice, many large European bakery suppliers use vegetable-oil derived mono/diglycerides due to cost and supply consistency, but verification requires direct contact.