Mono- and diglycerides are usually made from vegetable oils, such as soybean, palm, canola and sunflower. Animal fat is sometimes used, the two versions are chemically identical, and labels don't say which source was used.
If a product is certified vegan or labeled vegan, its E471 is plant-based. Otherwise, only the maker can tell you.
Mono- and diglycerides are among the most common emulsifiers in packaged food, and among the most frustrating for vegans, because the label can't tell you where they came from.
What they are and how they're made
Mono- and diglycerides are fats that have been partly broken down. Manufacturers heat a fat or oil with glycerol, which rearranges the fat molecules, then purify the result. The finished emulsifier helps oil and water mix, keeps bread soft for longer and stops ice cream turning grainy.
Most are made from:
| Source | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Soybean, palm, canola, sunflower or coconut oil | Vegan | The usual source. |
| Grape or tomato pomace | Vegan | Less common. |
| Lard or beef tallow | Not vegan | Used occasionally, mostly where it's cheaper. |
Because plant and animal versions are chemically the same, there's no way to tell from the product itself.
Where you'll find them
Bread and buns, cakes, crackers, peanut butter, margarine, ice cream, whipped toppings, chewy candy and coffee creamers. Wonder Bread and Twizzlers both list them.
How we treat them in our verdicts
When mono- and diglycerides are a minor ingredient in an otherwise vegan product, such as candy, we treat them as a grey area rather than a dealbreaker, because they're usually plant-based. When a product has several ambiguous ingredients, or the maker won't confirm the source, we say so in the verdict.
How to be sure
- Look for a vegan label or certification. Certified products must use plant-based E471.
- Check for kosher pareve or halal marks. These don't guarantee vegan, but they rule out pork and, for pareve, dairy.
- Ask the maker. Many companies will tell you the source if you contact customer service.
FAQ
What does E471 mean on a label?
Are monoglycerides from pork?
Why don't labels say the source?
Keep checking
Sources and how we checked
We reviewed the ingredient information below in Oct 2026. Recipes change, so check the pack, especially if you have an allergy.
Spotted a recipe change? Tell us and we'll re-check.