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E494EmulsifierLow concern
Sorbitan Monooleate
In plain words
The short version
Span 80 — an oleate-based sorbitan emulsifier for chocolate, icings, and cake mixes.
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
EFSA (2017) set a group ADI of 10 mg/kg body weight per day for sorbitan esters (E 491–495), expressed as sorbitan. JECFA's group ADI of 0–25 mg/kg body weight is now temporary, because JECFA could not conclude on genotoxicity. Hydrolyzed in digestion to sorbitol and oleic acid — both normal dietary components.
The detail
Manufactured by esterifying oleic acid with sorbitol; during esterification sorbitol partially dehydrates to sorbitan. The Span series — Span 20, 40, 60, 80 — differ in the fatty-acid chain.
A water-in-oil emulsifier (low HLB ~4.3) used in chocolate confectionery for bloom suppression, in cake mixes for crumb softness, in icings, and as a beverage clouding-agent stabilizer. Frequently paired with the corresponding Polysorbate 80 (E433) for combined o/w + w/o emulsion stabilization.
Amber-colored viscous liquid. Insoluble in cold water; disperses in warm water. Soluble in oils.
Permitted globally with maximum-use limits per category.
Sources
- EFSA ANS Panel — Re-evaluation of sorbitan monostearate (E 491), sorbitan tristearate (E 492), sorbitan monolaurate (E 493), sorbitan monooleate (E 494) and sorbitan monopalmitate (E 495) when used as food additives (2017) — EFSA (EFSA Journal), 2017. Safety: EFSA group ADI for sorbitan esters (10 mg/kg bw/day as sorbitan)
- WHO JECFA database — Sorbitan monooleate (INS 494) — WHO / FAO Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives, 2026. Safety: JECFA group ADI 0–25 mg/kg bw is now temporary
- Commission Regulation (EU) No 1129/2011 establishing the Union list of food additives — Publications Office of the EU (Official Journal L 295), 2011. Regulation: E 494 is an authorised EU food additive
Checked against these sources on .
Educational information only. Not medical, dietary or veterinary advice. Spotted an error? Tell us.