Any aliphatic monocarboxylic acid derived from or contained in esterified form in an animal or vegetable fat, oil or wax. Natural fatty acids commonly have a chain of 4 to 28 carbons (usually unbranched and even-numbered), which may be saturated or unsaturated. By extension, the term is sometimes used to embrace all acyclic aliphatic carboxylic acids.

LanguaL term definition: Food additive; technological purpose(s): antifoaming agent. foam stabilizer, glazing agent.