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Polyglycerol polyricinoleate (E476)

Polyglycerol polyricinoleate (E476) is one of the markers Open Food Facts uses to classify a food as ultra-processed (NOVA group 4).

What it is and why it counts

Polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR) is an emulsifier made from castor oil. In chocolate it makes the melted mass flow more easily, which lets manufacturers use less cocoa butter.

Cosmetic additives

NOVA calls these additives "cosmetic": they change how a product looks, feels or tastes rather than keeping it safe to eat. Their presence is one of the two defining signs of an ultra-processed food.

Function

Emulsifier
Emulsifiers are substances which make it possible to form or maintain a homogenous mixture of two or more immiscible phases such as oil and water in a foodstuff.

Functional class definitions from the EU food additives regulation, via Open Food Facts.

More about polyglycerol polyricinoleate (E476) on Wikidata

Where it turns up

Polyglycerol polyricinoleate (E476) appears in 355 of the 40,000 products on this site (1%).

Products containing polyglycerol polyricinoleate (E476)

Showing the 60 most popular of 355.

How the NOVA classification works