Polioksietilen -20-sorbitan monopalmitat

Detailed information

What it is & how it is made

Also known as polysorbate 40. The EU specification defines it as 'a mixture of the partial esters of sorbitol and its mono- and dianhydrides with edible commercial palmitic acid, condensed with approximately 20 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of sorbitol and its anhydrides'. The oxyethylene group content is not less than 66 percent (Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012, E 434).

Where it is used

It is an emulsifier. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 it is listed within the E 432-436 'polysorbates' group and authorised with numerical maximum levels that vary by food category; it may also be used as a carrier and in flavourings under Annex III. The Turkish Food Codex Regulation on Food Additives follows the same list. Its main purposes are to keep water and oil mixed, to condition dough structure in bakery products and to control foaming.

Health note

EFSA re-evaluated the polysorbates as a single group and maintained a group acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 25 mg/kg body weight per day for E 432, E 433, E 434, E 435 and E 436 (EFSA Journal 2015;13(7):4152). The Panel reported low acute toxicity and no concern regarding genotoxicity, carcinogenicity or developmental toxicity, while noting that the highest exposure estimate, in toddlers, approaches that limit.

Halal assessment

The decisive point is the origin of the palmitic acid. The EU specification says only 'edible commercial palmitic acid' and imposes no restriction to vegetable or animal sources. Unless the source is documented it should therefore be treated as source dependent; consult the manufacturer's halal certificate for a definitive answer.