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E491 Sorbitan Monostearate – Emulsifier Explained

E491 is an approved food additive known as sorbitan monostearate, widely used as an emulsifier and stabilizer in food products.

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Things worth knowing about "E491"

E491 is an approved food additive known as sorbitan monostearate, widely used as an emulsifier and stabilizer in food products.

What is E491?

E491 is the EU designation for sorbitan monostearate, a synthetically produced emulsifier belonging to the group of sorbitan esters. It is formed through the chemical reaction of sorbitol (a sugar alcohol) with stearic acid (a saturated fatty acid). In the food industry, E491 is one of the most commonly used non-ionic emulsifiers.

Uses and Applications

E491 is used in a wide range of food products to blend water and fat, improve texture, and extend shelf life. Typical applications include:

Baked goods (e.g., cakes, bread, pastries) to improve dough structure and freshness
Chocolate and confectionery to regulate viscosity
Margarine and vegetable spreads
Desserts, cream fillings, and whipped topping alternatives
Chewing gum and sweets
Cosmetics and pharmaceuticals as an excipient in creams, ointments, and tablets

Mechanism of Action

As a non-ionic emulsifier, E491 contains both hydrophilic (water-attracting) and lipophilic (fat-attracting) molecular segments. This allows it to position itself at the interface between water and oil, preventing the two phases from separating again. This process is known as emulsification. Compared to other sorbitan esters such as E435 (polysorbate 60), E491 is less hydrophilic and is therefore particularly well suited for water-in-oil emulsions.

Safety and Health Assessment

E491 has been thoroughly evaluated by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). Key findings include:

The substance is considered safe when used as intended (GRAS status in the United States).
The acceptable daily intake (ADI) established by JECFA is 25 mg per kg of body weight per day (for the group of sorbitan esters E491–E496).
Under normal dietary conditions, this threshold is generally not reached.
At very high doses, some animal studies have reported minor gastrointestinal effects; however, these levels are far above typical human exposure.
Individuals with known hypersensitivity to sorbitol or stearic acid should avoid products containing E491.

Labeling and Regulation

In the European Union, E491 is authorized under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives. Labeling is mandatory: food manufacturers must declare E491 in the ingredient list either as E491 or by its full name sorbitan monostearate. Permitted maximum levels vary depending on the food category.

References

EFSA ANS Panel (2015): Re-evaluation of sorbitan monostearate (E 491), sorbitan tristearate (E 492), sorbitan monolaurate (E 493), sorbitan monooleate (E 494), sorbitan monopalmitate (E 495) and sorbitan trioleate (E 496) as food additives. EFSA Journal 13(12):4340.
FAO/WHO JECFA (2006): Compendium of Food Additive Specifications – Sorbitan Esters. Monograph No. 1. FAO JECFA Monographs.
European Commission (2008): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on food additives. Official Journal of the European Union.

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