Depends on Source
How we decideSome routes to it require the animal to die and some do not, and the label rarely says which was used.
The two diets, side by side
A vegetarian diet excludes animals that were killed. A vegan diet excludes animal products entirely, whether the animal survived or not. Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids can fall either side of that line depending on how it was made.
E471 depends on the supplier. Mono- and diglycerides are made from either vegetable oil or animal fat, lard and tallow included, and EU rules do not require the source to be declared. Contacting the manufacturer is the only way to settle it, and bread, ice cream, and coffee creamer are where the question comes up.
What it is
- Comes from
- Can be derived from animal fats (lard, tallow) [not vegan] or vegetable oils (soy, palm, sunflower) [vegan]. Source is almost never declared on the label. Used as an emulsifier to improve texture.
- Which animal
- cattle or pig, via tallow or lard
- Requires slaughter
- Yes
- Where you meet it
- Bread, margarine, peanut butter, ice cream, chewing gum, baked goods, coffee creamers.
- What replaces it
- No direct equivalent — contact the manufacturer to ask about the fat source.
Editorial notes
One of the most common hidden animal-derived ingredients in processed food. In the EU, the source does not need to be declared. Some brands use palm-derived mono/diglycerides (technically vegan but with deforestation concerns). Contacting the manufacturer directly is the only reliable method.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids vegetarian?
Depends on Source. Some routes to it require the animal to die and some do not, and the label rarely says which was used.
Is Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids vegan?
Depends on Source. E471 depends on the supplier. Mono- and diglycerides are made from either vegetable oil or animal fat, lard and tallow included, and EU rules do not require the source to be declared. Contacting the manufacturer is the only way to settle it, and bread, ice cream, and coffee creamer are where the question comes up.
Are mono- and diglycerides vegan?
Sometimes. Mono- and diglycerides can be made from vegetable oils such as soy, palm, or sunflower, or from animal fats such as lard and tallow, and the label does not say which. Much of the industrial supply is plant-derived, but the ingredient list gives no way to confirm the source. Only a certified vegan label or direct confirmation from the manufacturer settles the question.
Is E471 the same as mono- and diglycerides?
Yes. E471 is the European Union additive number for mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids, so an ingredient list showing "E471" refers to the same emulsifier. Like the written-out name, the E number gives no information about whether the source fat was plant or animal.
Are mono- and diglycerides in bread?
Yes, very commonly. Commercial sandwich bread, buns, rolls, and tortillas often contain mono- and diglycerides as dough conditioners and anti-staling agents. Bread baked from scratch or from a simple flour-water-yeast-salt recipe does not need them, so artisan and homemade loaves are usually free of the additive.