# Methyl and ethyl esters of fatty acids produced from edible fats and oils — Food additive regulatory approval status — US FDA vs EU

For Methyl and ethyl esters of fatty acids produced from edible fats and oils, jurisdiction is US FDA (21 CFR 172–178); status is permitted; citation is 21 CFR 172.225; use conditions is in food, subject to the following prescribed conditions:   ( a ) The additive consists of a mixture of either methyl or ethyl esters of fatty acids produced from edible fats and oils and meets the following specifications:   ( 1 ) Not less than 90 percent methyl or ethyl esters of fatty acids, recorded from its source on 2026-08-15.

- **Additive:** Methyl and ethyl esters of fatty acids produced from edible fats and oils _(verified: appears in the quote below)_
- **Jurisdiction:** US FDA (21 CFR 172–178) _(our reading, not quoted from the source)_
- **Status:** permitted _(our reading, not quoted from the source)_
- **Citation:** 21 CFR 172.225 _(our reading, not quoted from the source)_
- **Use conditions:** in food, subject to the following prescribed conditions:   ( a ) The additive consists of a mixture of either methyl or ethyl esters of fatty acids produced from edible fats and oils and meets the following specifications:   ( 1 ) Not less than 90 percent methyl or ethyl esters of fatty acids. _(verified: appears in the quote below)_

## What the source says

> 19, 1984] § 172.225 Methyl and ethyl esters of fatty acids produced from edible fats and oils. Methyl esters and ethyl esters of fatty acids produced from edible fats and oils may be safely used in food, subject to the following prescribed conditions: ( a ) The additive consists of a mixture of either methyl or ethyl esters of fatty acids produced from edible fats and oils and meets the following specifications: ( 1 ) Not less than 90 percent methyl or ethyl esters of fatty acids. ( 2 ) Not more than 1.5 percent unsaponifiable matter.

## Source

- https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-172

Last verified: 2026-08-15. Review by: 2027-08-15.
Part of [Food additive regulatory approval status — US FDA vs EU](https://referencesource.org/food-additive-approval-status-us-vs-eu/).