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E434EmulsifierLow concern
Polysorbate 40
In plain words
The short version
Tween 40 — a palmitate-based polysorbate for dairy and bakery emulsions.
Why it's green
It's widely considered safe at the amounts used in food, so we mark it green. The Safety section below has the details.
Safety profile
ADI of 0–25 mg/kg body weight (combined polysorbates). Same considerations as the other polysorbates.
The detail
Manufactured by ethoxylating sorbitan monopalmitate. Intermediate between the lauric Tween 20 and the stearic Tween 60 — the C16 palmitic acid chain.
Used in whipped toppings, imitation dairy products, edible coatings, and some bakery emulsions. Less common than Polysorbate 60 or 80 but chosen where the specific C16 fatty-acid chain partition is preferred.
Yellow to amber viscous oily liquid. Soluble in water; characteristic mild odor.
Permitted globally with maximum-use limits per category.
Sources
- EFSA — Re-evaluation of polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate (E 432), monooleate (E 433), monopalmitate (E 434), monostearate (E 435) and tristearate (E 436) as food additives (2015) — European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), ANS Panel, 2015. Group ADI of 25 mg/kg bw/day for polysorbates incl. E 434
- WHO JECFA database — Polysorbate 40 (INS 434) — WHO / FAO Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), 2026. Group ADI 0–25 mg/kg bw (combined polysorbates)
- Commission Regulation (EU) No 1129/2011 — Union list of food additives (Annex II to Reg. 1333/2008) — European Union (EUR-Lex), 2011. EU: polysorbates group with per-category maximums, incl. milk and cream analogues
Checked against these sources on .
Educational information only. Not medical, dietary or veterinary advice. Spotted an error? Tell us.