EFSA published the re-evaluation of mono- and digylcerides of fatty acids (E471) for infants under the age of 16 weeks on 08/11/21. According to EFSA, there are no safety concerns when using the food additive in infant formulae (food category (FC) 13.1.1) and in dietary food for infants for special medical purposes and special formulae for infants (FC 13.1.5.1). However, based on the risk assessment, EFSA considers it necessary to lower the maximum residue limits for lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic and to establish limits for 3-MCPD, glycidyl esters and erucic acid in E471 (EFSA Journal 2021; 19(11):6885).

In 2017, EFSA already published a re-evaluation of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids (E471) as food additives. Within this framework, EFSA concluded that there are no safety concerns for the use of the food additive E471 within the reported uses and use levels. However, EFSA pointed out that the use for infants under the age of 16 weeks would require a specific risk assessment (EFSA Journal 2017; 15(11):5045).

This specific evaluation for infants under 16 weeks of age also did not give rise to any safety concerns on the part of EFSA in the 3rd quarter of 2021. Thus, the re-evaluation of E 471 is now completely finished.

Of the 315 food additives authorised before 20/01/2009, more than 80 are currently still undergoing a safety re-evaluation by EFSA in accordance with Regulation (EU) 257/2010.