Foods Containing E493 (Sorbitan Monolaurate)
E493 (Sorbitan Monolaurate) is made from sorbitol and lauric acid, 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 E493
E493 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 E493 is to check its ingredients list, where it must be declared by law, either as "E493" or as "Sorbitan Monolaurate".
How to spot E493 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: E493" or "emulsifiers: sorbitan monolaurate". In the US the E-number system isn't used, so look for the full name "Sorbitan Monolaurate" instead.
Should you avoid foods containing E493?
E493 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 E493.
Full guide to E493: 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).