What Is DATEM (Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Monoglycerides)? Safety, Risks & Alternatives

⚡ Quick Facts

E-NumberE472e
FDA StatusFDA-approved as a food additive (21 CFR 184.1101). Classified as GRAS when used in accordance with good manufacturing pr…
EFSA StatusEFSA re-evaluated in 2017 and maintained approval with no numerical ADI ('acceptable' at current use levels). Classified…
SeverityModerate Risk (6/10)

What Is DATEM (Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Monoglycerides)?

A synthetic emulsifier used primarily in bread and baked goods to strengthen dough, improve texture, and increase volume. It interacts with gluten proteins to create a stronger, more elastic dough structure. One of the most commonly used dough conditioners in commercial baking.

Mechanism of Action

DATEM integrates into the gluten network during dough mixing, creating a more uniform protein film around gas cells. This improves gas retention and produces a finer, more consistent crumb structure. Metabolized into its component parts (monoglycerides, tartaric acid, acetic acid) in the digestive tract, all of which are normal dietary components.

Why People Avoid DATEM (Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Monoglycerides)

Regulatory Status

🇺🇸 FDA

FDA-approved as a food additive (21 CFR 184.1101). Classified as GRAS when used in accordance with good manufacturing practices.

🇪🇺 EFSA

EFSA re-evaluated in 2017 and maintained approval with no numerical ADI ('acceptable' at current use levels). Classified as E472e.

Regulatory Timeline

• 1960s — First used in commercial bread production
1977 FDA formally lists DATEM as GRAS
2017 EFSA re-evaluates mono- and diglyceride esters, maintains approval
• Widely used globally in commercial bread production

Products Containing DATEM (Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Monoglycerides) (4 found)

#ProductBrandScore
1Great Value Honey Wheat BreadWalmart55/100
2Great Value White Bread—55/100
3MARKET PANTRY, WHITE SLICED HAMBURGER BUNSTarget Stores68/100
4VEGGIE HERB PRE-SLICED ROLLS, VEGGIE HERBBimbo Bakeries USA, Inc.80/100

Average safety score for products containing DATEM (Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Monoglycerides): 65/100

Safer Alternatives

✅
Lecithin
✅
Enzymes (lipase, glucose oxidase)
✅
Longer fermentation times
✅
Ascorbic acid

Scientific Sources

  1. EFSA (2017). Re-evaluation of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids (E 471) and related esters
  2. Stampfli & Nersten (1995). Emulsifiers in bread making. Food Chemistry, 52(4), 353-360
  3. FDA (21 CFR 184.1101). DATEM — Direct Food Substances Affirmed as GRAS

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DATEM (Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Monoglycerides)?
A synthetic emulsifier used primarily in bread and baked goods to strengthen dough, improve texture, and increase volume. It interacts with gluten proteins to create a stronger, more elastic dough structure. One of the most commonly used dough conditioners in commercial baking.
Is DATEM (Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Monoglycerides) safe?
DATEM (Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Monoglycerides) is FDA-approved as a food additive (21 CFR 184.1101). Classified as GRAS when used in accordance with g. EFSA re-evaluated in 2017 and maintained approval with no numerical ADI ('acceptable' at current use.
Where is DATEM (Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Monoglycerides) banned?
DATEM (Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Monoglycerides) is not currently banned in any major market according to our database.
What are alternatives to DATEM (Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Monoglycerides)?
Safer alternatives to DATEM (Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Monoglycerides) include: Lecithin, Enzymes (lipase, glucose oxidase), Longer fermentation times, Ascorbic acid.
How can I avoid DATEM (Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Monoglycerides)?
Download CheckIt AI and scan any product's barcode or ingredient label. The app will flag DATEM (Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Monoglycerides) and suggest safer alternatives.
What foods contain DATEM (Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Monoglycerides)?
DATEM (Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Monoglycerides) is commonly found in: Commercial bread, Bagels, English muffins, Pizza dough, Tortillas, Croissants. Our database has flagged it in 4 products.
What are the side effects of DATEM (Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Monoglycerides)?
Concerns about DATEM (Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Monoglycerides) include: Synthetic emulsifier — some consumers prefer bread with simpler ingredients; Associated with ultra-processed food production; Some formulations may contain trans fatty acids from partial hydrogenation.
Is DATEM (Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Monoglycerides) natural or artificial?
DATEM (Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Monoglycerides): DATEM integrates into the gluten network during dough mixing, creating a more uniform protein film around gas cells. This improves gas retention and p.
📬

Get Your Free Weekly Clean Food Guide

Join health-conscious shoppers. Every week: worst products to avoid, cleanest new finds, and FDA recall alerts.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Scan Any Product for DATEM (Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Monoglycerides)

Point your camera at any food label and instantly know if it contains DATEM (Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Monoglycerides).

Download CheckIt AI — Scan Free →

Related Ingredients

Compare DATEM (Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Monoglycerides)

DATEM (Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Monoglycerides) vs Polysorbate 80 (Tween 80)DATEM (Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Monoglycerides) vs Soy LecithinDATEM (Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Monoglycerides) vs Mono- and DiglyceridesDATEM (Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Monoglycerides) vs Carnauba Wax
Red 40 (Allura Red AC)Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF)AspartameBHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)Sodium NitriteCarrageenan 📱 DATEM (Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Monoglycerides) Scanner App Ingredient Comparisons All Ingredients Ingredients Banned in Europe Scoring Methodology

⚕️ This page provides ingredient information for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional for personalized dietary guidance.

Scanner Apps

Gluten Scanner AppDairy Scanner AppSeed Oil Scanner AppPeanut Allergy Scanner AppADHD Food Scanner AppIBS Food Scanner AppPregnancy Food Scanner AppCarnivore Diet Scanner AppKeto Scanner AppPaleo Scanner AppVegan Scanner AppCeliac Scanner AppMigraine Food Scanner AppKidney Diet Scanner AppCrohn's Food Scanner AppThyroid Scanner AppPCOS Food Scanner AppGout Food Scanner AppEczema Food Scanner AppToddler Food Scanner AppHeart Health Scanner AppAthlete Nutrition Scanner AppAcne Food Scanner AppFODMAP Scanner AppAIP Scanner AppMold Toxin Scanner AppHistamine Scanner AppOxalate Scanner AppNightshade Scanner AppSoy Scanner AppCorn Scanner AppEgg Allergy Scanner AppTree Nut Scanner AppShellfish Allergy Scanner AppSulfite Scanner AppSalicylate Scanner AppLectin Scanner AppSugar-Free Scanner AppLow Sodium Scanner AppMediterranean Diet Scanner AppWhole30 Scanner AppDiabetic Food Scanner AppColitis Food Scanner AppIC Food Scanner AppLupus Food Scanner AppHashimoto's Scanner AppEndometriosis Food Scanner AppAutoimmune Food Scanner AppBaby Formula Scanner AppPet Food Scanner AppSenior Nutrition Scanner AppOzempic Food Scanner AppWegovy Food Scanner AppMounjaro Food Scanner AppUltra-Processed Food ScannerHalal Food Scanner AppKosher Food Scanner AppAnti-Inflammatory Scanner AppCandida Diet Scanner AppSIBO Food Scanner AppLeaky Gut Scanner AppCholesterol Food Scanner AppBlood Pressure Scanner AppWeight Loss Food Scanner AppPesticide Food Scanner AppHeavy Metal Scanner AppPFAS Food Scanner AppBreastfeeding Food Scanner AppAutism Food Scanner AppFertility Food Scanner AppGAPS Diet Scanner AppElimination Diet Scanner AppLow Carb Scanner AppNanny Food Scanner AppGrocery Store Scanner AppFood Allergy Scanner AppDye-Free Food Scanner AppMuscle Building Scanner AppMarathon Runner Scanner AppKids Food Scanner AppFood Sensitivity Scanner AppClean Label Scanner AppFSA/HSA Food Scanner AppWhole Food Scanner AppDog Food Scanner AppCat Food Scanner App

Ingredient Safety

Red 40Yellow 5Yellow 6AspartameBHABHTSodium NitriteCarrageenanSucraloseTitanium DioxidePotassium BromateHigh Fructose Corn SyrupMSGSodium BenzoateTBHQPolysorbate 80Red 3Caramel ColorSoy LecithinNatural FlavorsAcesulfame-KMaltodextrinXanthan GumGuar GumCitric AcidErythritolBlue 1Propyl GallateMono & DiglyceridesPectinAcacia GumAgarAnnattoAutolyzed YeastAzodicarbonamideBVOCalcium PropionateCarnauba WaxCelluloseDATEMDisodium InosinateGellan GumKonjacLocust Bean GumMethylcelluloseSodium AlginateSodium Aluminum PhosphateTragacanth Gum

Food Safety Answers

Is Red 40 Banned in Europe?What Foods Have Seed Oils?Is Carrageenan Safe?Worst Food AdditivesIs BHA Safe?Does Gatorade Have Food Dye?Titanium Dioxide in FoodIs Aspartame Safe?Is Sodium Nitrite Dangerous?Is MSG Bad for You?What Is HFCS?Is Sucralose Safe?Food Dye Banned in Europe?Is Potassium Bromate Banned?What Is Natural Flavors?Is Soy Lecithin Bad?Is Maltodextrin Bad?Is Xanthan Gum Safe?Is Red 3 Banned?Is TBHQ Bad?Foods Banned in Other CountriesIs Citric Acid Bad?What Is Polysorbate 80?Is Caramel Color Safe?Is Palm Oil Bad?What Is Cellulose in Food?Is Acesulfame-K Safe?Is Erythritol Safe?Is Guar Gum Safe?Is Food in America Safe?Cheerios & PesticidesBest Food Scanner AppHow to Read Food LabelsIs Yellow 5 Safe?Are Preservatives Bad?Artificial Sweetener SafetyIs Canola Oil Bad?Hidden Names for SugarFoods That Cause InflammationIs Annatto Safe?Is Azodicarbonamide Safe?Is Calcium Propionate Safe?Is Carnauba Wax Safe?Is Gelatin Halal?Is Locust Bean Gum Safe?Mono & Diglycerides SafetyIs Pectin Safe?Propylene Glycol in FoodWhat Is Agar Agar?What Is BVO?What Is DATEM?What Is Sodium Alginate?What Is Sodium Benzoate?

Cleanest Rankings

Cleanest Protein BarsCleanest CerealCleanest YogurtCleanest ChipsCleanest SnacksCleanest BreadCleanest SaucesCleanest JuiceCleanest CookiesCleanest CandyCleanest Ice CreamCleanest PastaCleanest Baby FoodCleanest Energy DrinksCleanest Protein PowderCleanest Frozen MealsCleanest CondimentsCleanest SodaCleanest Pet Food

Free-From Finder

Protein Bars Without Seed OilsCereal Without Artificial ColorsSnacks Without PreservativesYogurt Without Artificial SweetenersChips Without Seed OilsCookies Without Artificial ColorsCandy Without Artificial ColorsSoda Without Artificial SweetenersFrozen Meals Without MSGBaby Food Without SugarEnergy Drinks Without SweetenersProtein Bars Without SweetenersSnacks Without Seed OilsCereal Without SugarBread Without PreservativesIce Cream Without CarrageenanPasta Without Gluten

Store Scan Results

Costco Protein Bars RankedWalmart Cereal RankedTarget Snacks RankedWhole Foods Yogurt RankedKroger Bread RankedAldi Snacks RankedCostco Snacks RankedWalmart Chips RankedTarget Cookies RankedTrader Joe's Snacks RankedWhole Foods Bread RankedWalmart Juice RankedTarget Cereal RankedWalmart Bread RankedKroger Snacks RankedAldi Cereal RankedWhole Foods Snacks RankedKroger Cereal RankedAldi Bread RankedTrader Joe's Cereal RankedCostco Bread Ranked

Ingredient Comparisons

Red 40 vs Yellow 5Red 40 vs Yellow 6Aspartame vs SucraloseAspartame vs HFCSBHA vs BHTRed 40 vs AspartameCarrageenan vs Soy LecithinSucralose vs HFCSTBHQ vs BHATBHQ vs BHTRed 40 vs Titanium DioxideRed 40 vs Caramel ColorMSG vs Natural FlavorsSodium Benzoate vs Potassium BromateYellow 5 vs Red 3Polysorbate 80 vs CarrageenanXanthan Gum vs Guar GumRed 40 vs Red 3Erythritol vs SucraloseMaltodextrin vs HFCSAll Ingredient Comparisons

Store Reports

Walmart Report CardTarget Report CardCostco Report CardKroger Report CardWhole Foods Report CardTrader Joe's Report CardAldi Report CardSam's Club Report Card

Original Research

All Research StudiesGrocery Product Safety StudySeed Oil CensusSafest Grocery StoresSchool Lunch Safety ReportMost Common AdditivesBanned Ingredients in US Products

App Comparisons

CheckIt vs YukaCheckIt vs EWGCheckIt vs FooducateCheckIt vs MyFitnessPalCheckIt vs Think DirtyCheckIt vs FigCheckIt vs SooseeCheckIt vs NoomYuka vs EWGYuka vs Fooducate

Guides & Tools

Download CheckIt AIUser ReviewsFood RecallsBanned in EuropeFood Safety ReportIngredient GlossaryStore RankingsIngredient EncyclopediaHealthier Swap FinderOur MethodologyIngredient ComparisonsTopic GuidesAll Food Safety AnswersOpen DataWhat's Really In Your Food
📋 Cite This Data
APACheckIt AI. (2026). "What Is DATEM (Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Monoglycerides)? Safety, Risks & Alternatives | CheckIt AI". Climaverse PBC. Retrieved from https://getcheck.it/ingredients/datem
MLA"What Is DATEM (Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Monoglycerides)? Safety, Risks & Alternatives | CheckIt AI." CheckIt AI, Climaverse PBC, 2026-03-05. https://getcheck.it/ingredients/datem.
HTML Embed<a href="https://getcheck.it/ingredients/datem">What Is DATEM (Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Monoglycerides)? Safety, Risks & Alternatives | CheckIt AI — CheckIt AI</a>
BibTeX@misc{checkit2026ingredientsdatem, title = {What Is DATEM (Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Monoglycerides)? Safety, Risks & Alternatives | CheckIt AI}, author = {CheckIt AI}, year = {2026}, publisher = {Climaverse PBC}, url = {https://getcheck.it/ingredients/datem}, note = {Retrieved 2026-03-05} }