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E570Anti-caking agentLow concern
Stearic Acid
In plain words
The short version
A saturated long-chain fatty acid — anti-caking agent, anti-foam, and tablet lubricant.
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 not specified — considered safe. A normal dietary fatty acid; metabolized identically to dietary fat-derived stearate. Unique among saturated fats in being neutral for blood lipid profiles.
The detail
Manufactured by hydrolysis of vegetable or animal fats followed by separation of the saturated long-chain fraction. A natural component of all animal fats and many vegetable fats (cocoa butter is ~33% stearic acid).
Used as a flow modifier and release agent in chewing gum and candy coatings, as a tablet lubricant in vitamin and supplement tablets, and as an anti-foaming agent in powdered beverage preparation. Provides a smooth glide in confectionery extrusion.
White waxy solid or pearl beads. Practically insoluble in water; soluble in hot oils, ether, ethanol. Melts at 69°C.
Permitted globally without restrictive limits — quantum satis for most applications.
Sources
- EFSA ANS Panel — Re-evaluation of fatty acids (E 570) as a food additive (2017) — EFSA (EFSA Journal), 2017. Safety: ADI 'not specified'; no safety concern at reported uses
- US eCFR — 21 CFR 184.1090 Stearic acid (affirmed GRAS) — U.S. eCFR (Office of the Federal Register), 2026. Regulation: US GRAS with no limitation other than good manufacturing practice
- 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 570 authorised in the EU at quantum satis (Group I)
Checked against these sources on .
Educational information only. Not medical, dietary or veterinary advice. Spotted an error? Tell us.