What is E493?
Complete guide to understanding sorbitan monolaurate in your food
The Quick Answer
E493 is sorbitan monolaurate, an emulsifier and stabilizer used to prevent separation and improve texture in baked goods, desserts, and confectionery.
It’s a semisynthetic ingredient made from lauric acid (from coconut oil) and sorbitol (from corn), allowing oils and water to mix stably in food.
Most people who eat cakes, desserts, or processed baked goods regularly consume small amounts of it.
📌 Quick Facts
- Category: Emulsifier & Stabilizer
- Found in: Cakes, desserts, confectionery, bakery products
- Safety: FDA-approved, EFSA-approved, ADI established at 10 mg/kg
- Approved by: FDA, EFSA, JECFA
- Key Fact: Plant-derived; part of sorbitan esters family (E491-E495)
What Exactly Is E493?
E493 is sorbitan monolaurate, an emulsifier and stabilizer created by chemically combining lauric acid with sorbitol.
More specifically, sorbitan monolaurate is a mixture of esters formed from lauric acid (a fatty acid found in coconut oil and other plant sources) and polyols derived from sorbitol (a sugar alcohol made from glucose, typically from corn). The result is a semisynthetic ingredient that functions as a surfactant—a molecule with both oil-attracting and water-attracting properties.
E493 appears as a cream to pale brown colored liquid or soft paste with a slightly oily character and slight odor. It’s one of five sorbitan ester emulsifiers (E491 through E495), all sharing similar functions and safety profiles.
In technical terms, it’s a nonionic surfactant that allows fats and water to remain mixed in stable emulsions, preventing separation and maintaining uniform texture in foods.
Where You’ll Find E493
E493 appears in numerous baked goods and confectionery requiring emulsification or stabilization:
– Fine bakery products and cakes
– Desserts and puddings
– Confectionery and candy
– Sugar-based products
– Cocoa products
– Icings and fillings
– Cake mixes
– Confectionery coatings
– Edible oil and fat emulsions
– Whipped toppings
– Dairy products
– Various processed foods
If you eat cakes, desserts, or confectionery products, you’ve likely consumed E493. It’s commonly used in commercial baking and confectionery manufacturing.
💡 Pro Tip: Look for “Sorbitan monolaurate,” “Sorbitan monolaureate,” “Span 60,” or “E493” on ingredient lists. It’s especially common in fine bakery products and desserts where emulsification is critical for texture.
How E493 Works in Food
E493 serves critical functions in baked goods and confectionery.
As an emulsifier: E493 allows oils and water to remain stably mixed in products where they would otherwise separate. In cakes, this creates uniform texture and better crumb structure. In confectionery coatings and toppings, it prevents fat separation and maintains glossy appearance.
As a stabilizer: E493 prevents component separation and maintains consistent texture throughout storage. In desserts, it keeps emulsions stable and uniform. In confectionery, it prevents blooming (fat crystals forming on surface) and maintains product quality.
In cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications: E493 (also known as Span 60) is approved for topical use in skincare products, makeups, and oral pharmaceutical formulations, where it serves as a non-ionic detergent and surfactant.
Why Do Food Companies Use E493?
E493 solves critical technical problems in food production.
Without emulsifiers like E493, cakes would have poor texture, dense crumb structure, and rapid staling. Confectionery coatings would separate and appear unattractive. Desserts would develop visible separation and lose their appealing appearance.
E493 allows manufacturers to produce consistent, attractive products with extended shelf life. The alternative—using combinations of multiple ingredients to achieve emulsification—would be more complex and less reliable.
Is It Safe?
Regulatory authorities confirm E493 is safe for food use at approved levels.
The FDA approved sorbitan monolaurate for specific food uses, classifying it as safe when used as intended. The EFSA conducted a comprehensive re-evaluation in 2017 of all sorbitan esters (E491-E495) together and established a group Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of 10 mg/kg body weight per day. JECFA (the international FAO/WHO expert committee) approved it as an emulsifier.
An ADI being established means regulatory authorities determined a safe daily intake level—actual consumption at approved use levels is far below this threshold.
✓ Safety Confirmed: The EFSA’s 2017 re-evaluation established an ADI of 10 mg/kg body weight/day for E493 and other sorbitan esters. This means regulatory authorities have determined it is safe for daily consumption at this level. Actual food intake levels are well below this threshold.
The EFSA’s 2017 Comprehensive Safety Re-evaluation
The European Food Safety Authority’s thorough 2017 re-evaluation of all sorbitan esters provides authoritative reassurance.
Key findings:
– Established Group ADI: 10 mg/kg body weight/day (expressed as sorbitan) for E491-E495 singly or in combination
– No adverse effects at approved food use levels
– No carcinogenic effects detected in long-term studies
– NOAEL: 2,600 mg/kg body weight/day (from mouse studies)
– Mean exposure below ADI in all population groups
– 95th percentile exposure below ADI in most population groups
The 2017 EFSA Panel concluded that there is no safety concern for the use of sorbitan esters at reported uses and use levels.
How E493 Is Made
E493 is synthesized from plant-derived sources through controlled chemical processes.
Sorbitan monolaurate is produced by reacting edible lauric acid (from coconut or other plant oils) with sorbitol (a sugar alcohol made from glucose, typically from corn). The reaction creates a mixture of esters—primarily monoesters but also including minor components—that function as an emulsifier.
The semisynthetic nature means it’s chemically manufactured but derived from natural starting materials. The process is strictly controlled to ensure product quality and food safety.
Potential Side Effects
At approved food use levels, no adverse effects are documented.
E493 is non-toxic at food-grade use levels and generally recognized as safe. Excessive ingestion might cause mild gastrointestinal discomfort or diarrhea—effects similar to consuming other emulsifiers or fatty substances in large amounts.
For topical use in cosmetics and skincare products, E493 is generally recognized as safe. Prolonged or repeated skin contact may cause mild irritation in particularly sensitive individuals, but allergic reactions are extremely rare.
Plant-Based and Dietary Attributes
E493 is plant-derived with good dietary compatibility:
– Vegan-friendly ✓ (derived from plant sources: coconut oil for lauric acid, corn for sorbitol)
– Vegetarian ✓
– Non-allergenic ✓
– Generally recognized as safe for food use ✓
E493 is suitable for various dietary preferences since it’s derived entirely from plant-based sources.
The Sorbitan Esters Family
E493 is one of five related sorbitan ester emulsifiers with the same safety profile:
– E491: Sorbitan monostearate
– E492: Sorbitan tristearate
– E493: Sorbitan monolaurate (this product)
– E494: Sorbitan monooleate
– E495: Sorbitan monopalmitate
All five share the same group ADI of 10 mg/kg body weight/day and were evaluated together in the 2017 EFSA re-evaluation. They can be used individually or in combination.
Acute Toxicity Data
E493 demonstrates very low acute toxicity:
– Oral LD50 in rats: Greater than 2,000 mg/kg body weight (indicates very low oral toxicity)
– Inhalation LC50 in rats: Greater than 5,000 mg/m³ air (indicates very low inhalation toxicity)
– These values indicate the substance is essentially non-toxic at food-grade exposure levels
Approved Use Levels in Foods
E493 is approved at specific levels depending on food category:
– Fine bakery products and desserts: 5,000-10,000 mg/kg
– Confectionery: 5,000-10,000 mg/kg
– Dry yeast and yeast for baking: Quantum satis (as much as needed to accomplish intended effect)
– Other authorized categories: Varies based on specific food type
These levels are carefully controlled to ensure safety while allowing sufficient functionality for emulsification.
Animal Feed Status
E493 is safe for use in animal feed.
It’s approved as a feed additive for all animal species at a maximum content of 85 mg/kg complete feed. EFSA issued a safety opinion confirming its safety for this use.
Regulatory Approval Across Regions
E493 approval is nearly universal:
– United States (FDA): Approved for specified food uses
– European Union (EFSA): Authorized food additive
– International (JECFA): FAO/WHO approved
– Australia/New Zealand: Approved
This universal approval reflects confidence in its safety across different regulatory systems.
The Bottom Line
E493 (sorbitan monolaurate) is a plant-derived emulsifier and stabilizer used in baked goods, desserts, and confectionery.
It’s made by chemically combining lauric acid (from coconut or plant oils) with sorbitol (from corn), creating a semisynthetic ingredient that allows oils and water to mix stably.
Regulatory authorities worldwide classify it as safe. The EFSA established an ADI of 10 mg/kg body weight per day, and the FDA approved its use in specified food categories.
At approved food use levels, actual intake is far below the established ADI threshold, ensuring safety with a 100-fold safety margin.
No adverse effects are documented at food-grade use levels. Acute toxicity studies show very low toxicity in animal models.
E493 is plant-derived and vegan-friendly, suitable for all dietary preferences.
It’s also approved for use in animal feed and in topical cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations.
Most people eating cakes, desserts, or confectionery products consume E493 regularly without any documented health concerns.
As always, food labels must declare E493 when used, enabling informed consumer choice.