Gliseril triasetat

Detailed information

What it is & how it is made

Also called triacetin; it is the ester formed by glycerol with three molecules of acetic acid. The EU specification gives its chemical name as glyceryl triacetate, its formula as C9H14O6 and its content as not less than 98 percent; it is a colourless, somewhat oily liquid. The 'Definition' field of the specification is left blank, meaning the legislation does not describe the raw material or the manufacturing method (Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012, E 1518). The JECFA specification gives an assay of not less than 98.5 percent.

Where it is used

It is used as a carrier, solvent and humectant (JECFA functional classes: humectant, solvent). It is authorised under Annex III to EU Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, and the amount from all sources in food as consumed is limited to a maximum of 3,000 mg/kg in combination with E 1505 and E 1517. The Turkish Food Codex Regulation on Food Additives follows the EU list.

Health note

At its 19th meeting (1975) JECFA left the acceptable daily intake (ADI) for triacetin 'not specified'; the specification was revised at the 46th JECFA (1996) and the metals and arsenic limits at the 63rd JECFA (2004). No published EFSA re-evaluation opinion could be found for E 1518.

Halal assessment

Its structure rests on the esterification of glycerol with acetic acid, so the decisive point is the origin of the glycerol. In the EU specification the 'Definition' field for E 1518 is blank and there is no record of the origin of the glycerol; the JECFA specification likewise does not define the raw material. Unless the source is documented it should therefore be treated as source dependent; consult the manufacturer's halal certificate for a definitive answer.