Abstract: A polyglycerol partial fatty acid ester emulsifier polyglycerol which is predominantly mono- and/or diesterified with saturated fatty acid moieties and optionally monomeric glycerol which is predominantly mono- and/or diesterified with saturated fatty acid moieties, in which the fatty acid moieties are selected so that the average number of carbon atoms in the acid moieties is in the range between 13.0 and 16.5 is prepared by reacting a polyglycerol, optionally containing monomeric glycerol, with a fatty acid or a mixture of fatty acids or with a fatty acid glyceride or a mixture of fatty acid glycerides, the number of carbon atoms of the fatty acid or of the fatty acid moiety of the glyceride or the average number of carbon atoms of the fatty acids moieties of the glycerides being in the range between 13.0 and 16.5.

Abstract: A substantially free-flowing powder comprising a surface-active agent such as a food emulsifier applied on a particulate carrier such as a starch is prepared by mixing the suface-active substance with the carrier and subjecting the resulting mixture to extrusion.