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E436EmulsifierLow concern
Polysorbate 65
In plain words
The short version
Tween 65 — a tristearate polysorbate with intermediate solubility, used in icings and toppings.
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).
The detail
Manufactured by ethoxylating sorbitan tristearate (Span 65) — the tri-stearic-acid analog of Tween 60. Intermediate solubility because the three stearic-acid chains compete with the 20 ethylene oxide groups.
Used in whipped toppings, ice cream, icings, and imitation cream where its lower HLB (vs Tween 60) gives a softer, less-aerated structure. Less common than Tween 60 but specifically chosen for certain texture profiles.
Cream-colored waxy solid. Disperses in warm water.
Permitted globally with maximum-use limits per category.
Sources
- EFSA — Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate (E 432), monooleate (E 433), monopalmitate (E 434), monostearate (E 435) and tristearate (E 436) as food additives (EFSA Journal 2015;13(7):4152) — European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), 2015. Group ADI 25 mg/kg bw/day for polysorbates including polysorbate 65
- WHO JECFA database — Polysorbate 65 (INS 436), evaluation 2026 (102nd meeting) — Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), 2026. Group ADI 0–25 mg/kg bw confirmed, including the stearic triester (polysorbate 65)
- eCFR — 21 CFR 172.838 Polysorbate 65 — U.S. Government Publishing Office / FDA (eCFR), 1978. US food additive regulation with use limits per food
- EUR-Lex — Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives, consolidated text of 18.08.2026 (Annex II) — European Union (EUR-Lex), 2026. EU authorisation within the polysorbates group E 432–436 with category maximum levels
Checked against these sources on .
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