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E435EmulsifierLow concern
Polysorbate 60
In plain words
The short version
Tween 60 — the dominant whipped-topping and ice-cream emulsifier.
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 Polysorbate 80 regarding recent dietary-emulsifier microbiome research.
The detail
Manufactured by ethoxylating sorbitan monostearate (Span 60). The C18 saturated fatty-acid chain plus 20 ethylene oxide groups gives a workhorse food emulsifier with broad utility.
The dominant emulsifier in whipped toppings, ice cream, cake icings, non-dairy creamers, and imitation cream. Stabilizes the foam and emulsion structure of whipped systems. Often paired with Span 60 (E491) for complete emulsion stabilization.
Cream-colored waxy semi-solid at room temperature. Soluble in warm water and most polar solvents.
Permitted globally with maximum-use limits per category.
Sources
- EFSA ANS Panel — Re-evaluation of polysorbates E 432–436 as food additives (2015), EFSA Journal 13(7):4152, doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2015.4152 (PMC record: abstract + PDF) — European Food Safety Authority, 2015. Group ADI of 25 mg/kg bw/day for polysorbates incl. polysorbate 60
- WHO JECFA database — Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monostearate (polysorbate 60, INS 435), 102nd meeting evaluation (2026) — WHO / FAO JECFA, 2026. Group ADI 0–25 mg/kg bw confirmed; no safety concern at GSFA uses
- 21 CFR 172.836 — Polysorbate 60 (CFR 2025 edition, govinfo) — U.S. Government Publishing Office / FDA, 2025. US permission with per-use maximum levels (e.g. whipped toppings, cakes)
Checked against these sources on .
Educational information only. Not medical, dietary or veterinary advice. Spotted an error? Tell us.