What Is Mono- and Diglycerides? Safety, Risks & Alternatives

CheckIt AI

Emulsifiers made from fatty acids and glycerol. They are the most widely used emulsifiers in the food industry, found in bread, ice cream, margarine, peanut butter, and many other products. They help oil and water mix, improve texture, and extend shelf life.

Mechanism of Action

Mono- and diglycerides are structurally similar to triglycerides (common dietary fats) with one or two fatty acid chains instead of three. The concern is that they may contain trans fatty acids from the partial hydrogenation process used in their manufacture. Unlike trans fats in partially hydrogenated oils, trans fats in mono- and diglycerides are exempt from the FDA trans fat labeling requirement because they are classified as emulsifiers, not fats.

Why People Avoid Mono- and Diglycerides

Regulatory Status

🇺🇸 FDA

FDA classifies mono- and diglycerides as GRAS (21 CFR 184.1505). No ADI established. Exempt from the trans fat ban and trans fat labeling requirement because they are classified as emulsifiers rather than fats.

🇪🇺 EFSA

EFSA re-evaluated in 2017 and maintained approval with no numerical ADI. EFSA noted that mono- and diglycerides may contain trans fatty acids but considered exposure levels from this source to be low.

Regulatory Timeline

Products Containing Mono- and Diglycerides (6 found)

Safer Alternatives

Scientific Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mono- and Diglycerides?: Emulsifiers made from fatty acids and glycerol. They are the most widely used emulsifiers in the food industry, found in bread, ice cream, margarine, peanut butter, and many other products. They help oil and water mix, improve texture, and extend shelf life.
Is Mono- and Diglycerides safe?: Mono- and Diglycerides is FDA classifies mono- and diglycerides as GRAS (21 CFR 184.1505). No ADI established. Exempt from the. EFSA re-evaluated in 2017 and maintained approval with no numerical ADI. EFSA noted that mono- and d.
Where is Mono- and Diglycerides banned?: Mono- and Diglycerides is not currently banned in any major market according to our database.
What are alternatives to Mono- and Diglycerides?: Safer alternatives to Mono- and Diglycerides include: Sunflower lecithin, Soy lecithin, Egg yolk, Mustard (natural emulsifier).
How can I avoid Mono- and Diglycerides?: Download CheckIt AI and scan any product's barcode or ingredient label. The app will flag Mono- and Diglycerides and suggest safer alternatives.
What foods contain Mono- and Diglycerides?: Mono- and Diglycerides is commonly found in: Bread, Peanut butter, Ice cream, Margarine, Whipped topping, Coffee creamers, Baked goods. Our database has flagged it in 6 products.
What are the side effects of Mono- and Diglycerides?: Concerns about Mono- and Diglycerides include: May contain trans fatty acids that are exempt from labeling; Trans fat labeling loophole — products can claim '0g trans fat' while containing trans fats from emulsifiers; Exempt from the FDA's partial hydrogenation ban.
Is Mono- and Diglycerides natural or artificial?: Mono- and Diglycerides: Mono- and diglycerides are structurally similar to triglycerides (common dietary fats) with one or two fatty acid chains instead of three. The concern.

⚕️ This page provides ingredient information for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional for personalized dietary guidance.

📋 Cite This Data

APA

CheckIt AI. (2026). "What Is Mono- and Diglycerides? Safety, Risks & Alternatives | CheckIt AI". Climaverse PBC. Retrieved from https://getcheck.it/ingredients/mono-and-diglycerides

MLA

"What Is Mono- and Diglycerides? Safety, Risks & Alternatives | CheckIt AI." CheckIt AI, Climaverse PBC, 2026-03-05. https://getcheck.it/ingredients/mono-and-diglycerides.

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BibTeX

@misc{checkit2026ingredientsmonoanddiglycerides,
  title = {What Is Mono- and Diglycerides? Safety, Risks & Alternatives | CheckIt AI},
  author = {CheckIt AI},
  year = {2026},
  publisher = {Climaverse PBC},
  url = {https://getcheck.it/ingredients/mono-and-diglycerides},
  note = {Retrieved 2026-03-05}
}

E-Number	E471
FDA Status	FDA classifies mono- and diglycerides as GRAS (21 CFR 184.1505). No ADI established. Exempt from the trans fat ban and t…
EFSA Status	EFSA re-evaluated in 2017 and maintained approval with no numerical ADI. EFSA noted that mono- and diglycerides may cont…
Severity	Moderate Risk (6/10)

#	Product	Brand	Score
1	Kirkland Signature Dipped & Chewy Granola Bar Caramel	Kirkland Signature	7/100
2	Livegfree deluxe rice shells & cheese	LiveGfree	14/100
3	Specially Selected Hand-Finished Rocky Road Dessert Bars	Specially Selected, Aldi	16/100
4	Brioche Hot Dog Buns	Specially Selected	16/100
5	COUNTRY FRIED BEEF STEAK WITH SIGNATURE, HOMESTYLE MASHED POTATOES & COUNTRY-STYLE GRAVY, COUNTRY FRIED BEEF STEAK	Overhill Farms, Inc.	24/100
6	MEAL REPLACEMENT MILKSHAKE MIX, VANILLA	KSF Acquisition Corporation	80/100

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