E470a: Sodium, Potassium and Calcium Salts of Fatty Acids
Main role: emulsifying and preventing clumping
Also listed as: sodium stearate, calcium stearate, potassium fatty-acid salts
What is E470a (Sodium, Potassium and Calcium Salts of Fatty Acids)?
E470a groups sodium, potassium, and calcium salts of food fatty acids. These ingredients can influence powder handling and interactions between ingredients, depending on the salt and formulation.
What does it do in food?
Its main role is emulsifying and preventing clumping. Emulsifiers help ingredients mix or remain distributed. The recipe determines whether that means dispersing fat, improving dough handling, or controlling a coating. Their presence alone does not describe the food’s overall nutritional quality.
Food and formulation examples
- Powdered ingredients
- Food supplement preparations
- Emulsifier blends
These examples describe formulation roles, not a list of unrestricted legal uses. Availability and permitted applications differ by country and food category.
Label names and ingredient questions
Look for E470a, E 470a, or the ingredient name. Related names and label terms include sodium stearate, calcium stearate, potassium fatty-acid salts. A family code can cover more than one specified form; check the full declaration when the distinction matters.
The family name does not disclose which salt is used or where its fatty acids originated. For source-sensitive diets, request ingredient sourcing information from the manufacturer.
Is E470a safe?
There is no meaningful personal risk estimate from an E number alone. Food-grade specifications, allowed uses, amount consumed, and individual circumstances all matter. The authorization record below gives the legal scope; it is not a claim that every possible use is appropriate.
A label identifies the ingredient but usually not its concentration. Calculating daily intake requires the amount in the food and the quantities eaten.
Authorization and conditions of use
The Great Britain food additive register lists E470a as Sodium, potassium and calcium salts of fatty acids. This is an entry subject to its stated conditions, not unrestricted permission for every food. The record links to the applicable authorization terms. For an EU product, use the European Commission food additive database to check the relevant food category and limits. Other countries may use different names or rules.