Sorbitan monostearate (E491)

Sorbitan monostearate (E491) is one of the markers Open Food Facts uses to classify a food as ultra-processed (NOVA group 4).

What it is and why it counts

Emulsifiers are substances which make it possible to form or maintain a homogenous mixture of two or more immiscible phases such as oil and water in a foodstuff.

Cosmetic additives

NOVA calls these additives "cosmetic": they change how a product looks, feels or tastes rather than keeping it safe to eat. Their presence is one of the two defining signs of an ultra-processed food.

Function

Emulsifier: Emulsifiers are substances which make it possible to form or maintain a homogenous mixture of two or more immiscible phases such as oil and water in a foodstuff.

Functional class definitions from the EU food additives regulation, via Open Food Facts.

More about sorbitan monostearate (E491) on Wikidata

Where it turns up

Sorbitan monostearate (E491) appears in 56 of the 40,000 products on this site (0%).

Yeast 13 of 20 products
Cakes 7 of 377 products
Pastries 6 of 205 products
Breads 5 of 2,388 products
Biscuits 3 of 1,514 products
Cereal bars 2 of 487 products

Products containing sorbitan monostearate (E491)

How the NOVA classification works