Mono- and diglycerides may or may not be vegan; it depends on the fat
Can come from plant oils or animal fat. Only a vegan label or certification tells you which.
The full answer
Mono- and diglycerides (E471) are made by combining glycerol with fatty acids. Those fatty acids can come from soybean, palm or sunflower oil, or from beef or pork fat.
Most large manufacturers now use palm or soy oil because it's cheaper and works for more markets, but the label almost never tells you which. The ingredient list just says "mono- and diglycerides."
So the only reliable way to know is a vegan certification on the package (such as the Vegan Society sunflower or Certified Vegan logo), or a statement from the company. Some brands say "mono- and diglycerides (vegetable origin)" on the label.
If a product contains no other animal ingredients and the brand advertises it as plant-based, it almost certainly uses a plant source.
What to look for on the label
- "Mono- and diglycerides (vegetable)" or "(from palm/soy)"
- Certified Vegan or Vegan Society logo
- Halal or kosher-pareve certification (rules out pork, though not beef)
Other diets
Want the certified-vegan version?
Plant-based picksCertified vegan sandwich bread
No animal-derived emulsifiers.
Shop vegan bread Opens your country’s Amazon storeSunflower lecithin for home baking
Keeps homemade bread soft without E471.
Shop sunflower lecithin Opens your country’s Amazon storeCertified vegan ice cream
Made without animal fats.
Shop vegan ice cream Opens your country’s Amazon storeAs an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It never changes our ratings.
Common questions
Are mono and diglycerides vegetarian?
Only if made from plant oils. Without a label, you can't tell.
Is E471 always from pork?
No. Most is from palm or soy oil today, but some still comes from animal fat.
Safety score, rules by country, health notes and swaps.