Additives
Polysorbate 80 (E433): What It Is and Is It Safe?
Moderate
Emulsifier · Emulsifier
Synthetic emulsifier. A 2015 Nature study found it altered gut microbiome composition and promoted intestinal inflammation in mice. EFSA has highlighted the need for more research.
- Category
- Emulsifier — Emulsifier
- Typically used in
- Ice cream, vitamin supplements, processed foods
- Regulatory status
- Approved EU/USA/UK. Gut health research emerging. EFSA flagged.
- Concerns flagged
-
Gut-microbiome effectsInflammation link
Scrannr flags Polysorbate 80 automatically when you scan a barcode.
Sources
Where this comes from
- EFSA (2015) — Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate -E 432-, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate -E 433-, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monopalmitate -E 434-, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate -E 435- and polyoxyethylene sorbitan tristearate -E 436- as food additives http://dx.doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2015.4152
- Chassaing et al. (2015) — Dietary emulsifiers impact the mouse gut microbiota promoting colitis and metabolic syndrome https://www.nature.com/articles/nature14232
- Shi et al. (2025) — Polysorbate 80 and carboxymethylcellulose: A different impact on epithelial integrity when interacting with the microbiome https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39778648/
Products
Products containing Polysorbate 80
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