E473a - Oligoesters of sucrose type I
What it is and how it is used
Sucrose oligoesters type I and type II are a more recent development in the sucrose-ester family: sucrose carrying a controlled number of fatty acid chains, made and separated to give a defined balance between the water-loving sugar head and the oil-loving tails. That balance determines what kind of emulsion the molecule will stabilise.
The related additives are sucroglycerides (E 474) and sucrose esters of fatty acids (E 473), both of which are on the Great Britain authorised list. E 473a is not.
Foods commonly containing it
Not applicable for products sold in Great Britain, since the additive is not authorised here. JECFA has evaluated sucrose oligoesters type I and II internationally.
Safety summary
E 473a does not appear in the FSA Register of Food Additive Authorisations. The register lists E 473 (sucrose esters of fatty acids) and E 474 (sucroglycerides) as authorised, and the assimilated specifications regulation contains a specification for E 473 but none for E 473a. On the current GB list, this substance is not an authorised food additive.
JECFA has confirmed a group acceptable daily intake of 0–30 mg per kg of body weight per day covering sucrose esters of fatty acids, sucroglycerides and sucrose oligoesters type I and type II. That is an international evaluation and is not a GB authorisation.
If you have seen E 473a on a product label in the UK, we would like to know — it may indicate an imported product, or a database mapping error rather than an actual GB-permitted use.