E491 - Sorbitan monostearate

Functions: Emulsifier

Sorbitan monostearate is an ester of sorbitan -a sorbitol derivative- and stearic acid and is sometimes referred to as a synthetic wax. It is primarily used as an emulsifier to keep water and oils mixed. Sorbitan monostearate is used in the manufacture of food and healthcare products and is a non-ionic surfactant with emulsifying, dispersing, and wetting properties. It is also employed to create synthetic fibers, metal machining fluid, and brighteners in the leather industry, and as an emulsifier in coatings, pesticides, and various applications in the plastics, food and cosmetics industries. Sorbitans are also known as "Spans". Sorbitan monostearate has been approved by the European Union for use as a food additive -emulsifier- -E number: E 491- - Wikipedia

EFSA evaluation: Re‐evaluation of sorbitan monostearate -E 491-, sorbitan tristearate -E 492-, sorbitan monolaurate -E 493-, sorbitan monooleate -E 494- and sorbitan monopalmitate -E 495- when used as food additives (2017-05-05)

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has determined that some population groups have a high risk of consuming too much E491 - Sorbitan monostearate.

To evaluate your exposure to the E491 - Sorbitan monostearate food additive, you can browse our list of products that contain it. See the list of products with E491 - Sorbitan monostearate below.

	Infants	Toddlers	Children	Adolescents	Adults	Elderly
	< 1	1 to 2	3 to 9	10 to 17	18 to 64	65+
High risk (50% of people or more)
Moderate risk (5% of people or more)

: Risk of reaching or exceeding the acceptable daily intake (ADI)