E470 - Fatty Acids Salts

Author: Karen Lennox Time for reading: ~2 minutes Last Updated: August 08, 2022

CHAPTERS (Table Of Contents)

Fatty acid salts are food additives used in the production of powdered products: baking powder, flour, powdered sugar, dry broths and soups to prevent thickening and sticking of solid particles. They belong to ka

Characteristic

Sodium, potassium and calcium salts of fatty acids ( E 470a ) and magnesium salts of fatty acids ( E 470b ) are food additives used in the production of powdered products: baking powder, flour, powdered sugar, dry broths and soups to prevent of compression and adhesion of solid particles. They belong to the category of emulsifiers, dispersants, separators and foam stabilizers. Fatty acid salts are derived either from edible (ie vegetable or animal) fats and oils, or from distilled dietary fatty acids.

These substances are usually in grains, flakes or powder. Their color varies from white to yellow-brown and even brown. Stabilizer E 470b has a powdery consistency. Some types of salts dissolve very well in water, while the calcium salt does not dissolve in water, ethanol or esters.

In their natural form, E 470 is most often obtained by saponification of fats in the process of their decomposition in the human body during metabolism. Chemically, this food supplement is obtained by a molecular reaction. Various impurities are formed in the production process: glycerol, monoglycerides, water, diglycerides, unsaponifiable fats and fatty acids.

Other names for the food additive E 470 are:

calcium, aluminum, sodium, magnesium, ammonium and potassium salts of carboxylic fatty acids;
calcium, magnesium, ammonium, sodium and aluminum stearates;
fatty acid salts (based on calcium, aluminum, magnesium, sodium, potassium and ammonium);
myristic acid salts;
aliphatic fatty acids;
palmitic and stearic fatty acids.

Use

The main purpose of E 470b is to preserve the original consistency of the food. The additive increases the viscosity where necessary and prevents the formation of lumps in the production of powdered products.

E 470b has proven itself in the pharmaceutical industry, contributing to better compression and gliding of granules, tablets and extrusion products.

Salts of aliphatic carboxylic acids are applicable in the cosmetics industry, in the production of detergents and detergents, as well as in the processing of waste paper.

According to the laws of the Russian Federation, the production of such substances is not prohibited, but is strictly limited to the permissible amount. The specific criteria for their purity are set out in a special Regulation. In European countries and in Ukraine, this food additive is banned for production.

Impact on humans

Data that clearly show the harmful effects of E 470b on the human body have not yet been officially documented. But due to its synthetic nature, the additive can still be dangerous. In addition, it contains many different impurities.

Therefore, people with metabolic problems should limit the consumption of foods containing magnesium salts of fatty acids (E 470b). Also, these salts, when reacted with acids, exhibit fatty acid properties. And the dust itself has a peculiarity of causing sneezing if inhaled.

E470 - Fatty Acids Salts

CHAPTERS (Table Of Contents)

Characteristic

Other names for the food additive E 470 are:

Use

Impact on humans

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