E470b: Magnesium Salts of Fatty Acids
Main role: preventing clumping
Also listed as: magnesium stearate
What is E470b (Magnesium Salts of Fatty Acids)?
E470b covers magnesium salts of food fatty acids. Magnesium stearate is a familiar example used to improve handling and reduce sticking in powders or pressed preparations.
What does it do in food?
Its main role is 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
- Food supplement tablets
- Powdered mixtures
- Tableted foods
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 E470b, E 470b, or the ingredient name. Related names and label terms include magnesium stearate. A family code can cover more than one specified form; check the full declaration when the distinction matters.
Magnesium stearate is a processing ingredient, not a useful indicator of the magnesium nutrient dose. Read the declared active mineral amount separately.
Is E470b 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 E470b as Magnesium 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.