Triethyl Citrate: Its Use in Food Packaging

Triethyl citrate is a colourless and odourless liquid ester derived from citric acid and ethanol. It is a versatile ester that plays a major role in food additives and functions as a plasticizer in food packaging. Its demand saw an upsurge after the rising need for safer, non-toxic and biodegradable plasticizer alternatives. TEC has been approved by major authorities and is considered Generally Recognised As Safe (GRAS) with E number E1505 for food applications, making it suitable for popular and direct contact with food products. In this blog, we will learn more about triethyl citrate and its applications in food packaging.

TEC Use in Food Packaging

Triethyl citrate is widely used in food packaging for its safety profile, non-toxic effects, and biodegradability. Its demand has significantly increased in regions emphasising food industry professionals, packaging engineers, food scientists, regulatory personnel, and interested consumers. Triethyl citrate is an eco-friendly and non-toxic ingredient, making it an ideal plasticizer in the following food packaging products.

TEC Role as a Plasticizer in Food Packaging Materials

• It makes the packaging material more flexible, soft, and easy to process, especially in materials like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polylactic acid (PLA).
• TEC prevents materials from cracking and being brittle by increasing their pliability.
• It helps in maintaining the mechanical integrity of wraps, films and containers during transport, storage and handling.
• It is highly compatible with many materials, ensuring that food-contact packaging remains stable over various environmental conditions and keeps the food well-protected.
• It is a phthalate-free plasticizer widely favoured due to its safe, non-toxic and biodegradable qualities. Therefore, perfectly suitable for food-contact packaging.

For food safety and packaging plasticizer requirements, contact Mamta Polycoats. As a leading specialty chemicals manufacturer in India, we provide the highest quality of TEC and many other chemicals like diisopropyl adipate, tributyl citrate, acetyl tributyl citrate, and many more. Give us a call to know more.

Multipurpose Role Of TEC as a Food Additive

Other than food packaging, it is also widely used as a food additive for the many benefits it offers.

• Emulsifier and Solvent: TEC is an amphiphilic chemical, which means it can interact with both oils and water. This property of TEC can be used to make stable emulsions and evenly disperse flavouring compounds in food formulations.
• Foam Stabiliser and Texturizer: In products such as whipped creams, bakery goods and soft confectionery, TEC helps in maintaining foam and giving a desirable texture.
• Humectant and Release Agent: It is popularly employed as a release agent in bakery products to increase stickiness and improve handling. With this, it is also used to control moisture levels in food processing.

Safety Profile for Triethyl Citrate

TEC is certified as safe by the FDA, EU and other authorities for wide applications in food and pharmaceutical applications. In the United States, it is listed under 21 CFR 184.119 AS GRAS for direct use in food and similar applications. Various toxicological studies have assured that TEC does not pose health concerns at normal intakes in accordance with good manufacturing processes.

Conclusion

With its strong regulatory approvals, safety profiles, and a significant growth in the market, TEC is a highly preferred solution for producing flexible, stable and consumer-friendly food packaging with high-quality and shelf-stable food products. For the highest quality of triethyl citrate, contact Mamta Polycoats, the largest triethyl citrate exporter in India. We offer TEC manufactured under trained professionals and a stringent quality control unit. All our specialty chemicals are only supplied after they pass the quality assurance test. Our products have proven to be efficient in India and overseas by our regular customers from various industries. Trust Mamta Polycoats for all your citrate ester needs.

Disclaimer: This content is purely for informational purposes only. Consult official regulations and professionals before making a formulation decision.