Foods Containing E482 (Calcium Stearoyl-2-Lactylate)
E482 (Calcium Stearoyl-2-Lactylate) is made from stearic and lactic acids, which can be plant (including palm) or animal derived, used as a emulsifier to help help mix ingredients that would normally separate, like oil and water. Here's where you're most likely to find it on food labels.
Common foods that contain E482
E482 is used across bread, margarine, chocolate, ice cream, cakes and processed foods. The foods where it appears most often include:
- Bread
- Margarine
- Chocolate
- Ice cream
- Cakes and processed foods
Exact usage varies by brand and recipe — the only way to know for certain whether a specific product contains E482 is to check its ingredients list, where it must be declared by law, either as "E482" or as "Calcium Stearoyl-2-Lactylate".
How to spot E482 on a label
In the UK and EU, additives must appear in the ingredients list with their function and either their E-number or full name — for example "emulsifiers: E482" or "emulsifiers: calcium stearoyl-2-lactylate". In the US the E-number system isn't used, so look for the full name "Calcium Stearoyl-2-Lactylate" instead.
Should you avoid foods containing E482?
E482 is considered safe. It is authorised across the EU, UK and US, and safety evaluations by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have not identified health concerns at the levels used in food. For most people there is no reason to avoid E482.
Full guide to E482: safety, vegan and halal status →
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Additive data sourced from Open Food Facts (ODbL licence) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).