E470A – Salts of myristic, palmitic and stearic acids with ammonia, calcium, potassium and sodium
StabiliserDescription
Mixture of salts derived from fatty acids (myristic, palmitic, stearic) with ammonia, calcium, potassium, or sodium; white or yellowish powder or solid
Notes
E470A are salts made from fatty acids (the building blocks of fats and oils) combined with common minerals like sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, ammonium, or aluminum. These are created by taking fatty acids - which can come from plant oils like palm or coconut, or animal fats - and chemically combining them with these mineral salts through a process similar to how soap is made. These compounds work as anticaking agents, which means they prevent powdered or granulated foods from clumping together and forming hard lumps. You'll commonly find them in powdered soups, cake mixes, spice blends, and other dry food products where you want the powder to flow freely and not stick together in humid conditions. These additives can be derived from either plant or animal sources, so they may not always be suitable for vegetarians or vegans - you'd need to check with the manufacturer about the specific source. They're generally recognized as safe by food regulators, though people with specific mineral sensitivities might want to be aware of their presence, particularly the aluminum-containing versions.