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E1518 Triacetin – Food Additive

E1518 (Triacetin) is an approved food additive used as a humectant and solvent. It is commonly found in flavorings, chewing gum, and cosmetic products.

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Things worth knowing about "E1518"

E1518 (Triacetin) is an approved food additive used as a humectant and solvent. It is commonly found in flavorings, chewing gum, and cosmetic products.

What is E1518 (Triacetin)?

E1518, chemically known as Triacetin or glyceryl triacetate, is a synthetic food additive produced by the esterification of glycerol with acetic acid. It belongs to the group of humectants and solvents and is approved in the European Union under the E-number 1518. Triacetin is a colorless, slightly oily liquid with a mild, faintly fatty and acetic odor.

Use in Food

In the food industry, E1518 is primarily used as a solvent for flavorings. It improves the solubility and stability of flavor compounds in food products and ensures their even distribution. Typical applications include:

Chewing gum: As a plasticizer in the gum base
Flavorings and flavoring preparations: As a carrier and solvent
Baked goods and confectionery: To improve texture and shelf life
Non-alcoholic beverages: As a solvent for flavorings

Use Outside of Food

Triacetin is also used in other industries. In the pharmaceutical industry, it serves as an excipient in tablets, capsules, and ointments. In the cosmetics industry, it functions as a solvent and plasticizer in creams, lotions, and nail polish. Additionally, it is used as an additive in cigarette filter production to improve filter flexibility.

Safety and Health Assessment

E1518 is considered safe by regulatory authorities when used in approved quantities. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has evaluated Triacetin and classified it as safe. In the human body, it is rapidly broken down by enzymes (lipases) into glycerol and acetic acid, two substances that occur naturally in metabolism. No specific ADI (Acceptable Daily Intake) has been established for Triacetin, as it is considered safe at typical intake levels. However, the following points should be noted:

At very high doses, Triacetin could theoretically cause gastrointestinal discomfort.
Individuals with known hypersensitivity to acetic acid or glycerol should exercise caution.
There is no evidence of carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, or reproductive toxicity.

Regulatory Status in the EU

Triacetin is approved in the EU under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives as E1518. It may only be used in specific food categories and within established maximum levels. The labeling of foods containing E1518 must indicate the name or E-number of the additive.

References

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA): Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of glycerol (E 422) as a food additive. EFSA Journal, 2017.
Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on food additives.
WHO Food Additives Series: Triacetin. Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), Monographs and Evaluations.

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