YenzoWhat is E491 (sorbitan monostearate)?
E491 stands for sorbitan monostearate. Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT lists these functions: emulsifier, stabilizer.
E491Sorbitan monostearate
E491 stands for sorbitan monostearate. Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT lists these functions: emulsifier, stabilizer.
Did you know? In 2025 EFSA assessed a proposal to use sorbitan monostearate (E 491) in preparations of the enzyme asparaginase (also known as acrylamide-reducing yeast).
- Code
- E491 · INS 491
- Group
- Emulsifier, Stabilizer
In Vietnam✓ PermittedOn the list of permitted additives — Circular 24/2019, Appendix 1
Risk level on the Yenzo Scalelow?Based on the Open Food Facts additives taxonomy
How E491 appears on labels
IngredientsIllustrative example
Wheat flour, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, emulsifier (491), dried onion and garlic, pepper, natural colour (160a).
emulsifier (491)emulsifier 491E491INS 491On Vietnamese labels: Sorbitan monostearat
Sorbitan monostearate in food
Flavoured milk drinksEdible ices and fruit ice creamCocoa and chocolate productsHard candyChewing gumBread and rolls
Dried pasta and noodles
Carbonated flavoured water drinksCoffee, tea and herbal drinksQuestions about sorbitan monostearate
Is sorbitan monostearate harmful?
In 2017 EFSA set a group ADI of 10 mg/kg body weight per day, expressed as sorbitan, for the sorbitan esters E 491–495. In the 2025 update with newer consumption data, the group ADI was exceeded in toddlers and children at the 95th percentile (refined non-brand-loyal scenario) in a limited number of surveys. EFSA concluded that conservative assumptions clearly overestimated exposure, so the exceedance is not of safety concern.
Is E491 permitted in Vietnam?
Yes. INS 491 (sorbitan monostearate) is listed in Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, the list of additives permitted in food.
Can children and pregnant women have E491?
In 2025, updating the exposure to sorbitan esters (E 491–495) with newer consumption surveys, EFSA found that the group ADI of 10 mg sorbitan/kg body weight per day was exceeded in toddlers and children at the 95th percentile (refined non-brand-loyal scenario) in a limited number of surveys. EFSA concluded that conservative assumptions clearly overestimated the exposure, so the exceedance is not of safety concern. The source says nothing specific about pregnant women. If you have a particular health condition, ask a doctor.
Other emulsifiers
E481Sodium stearoyl-2-lactylatelowE482Calcium stearoyl-2-lactylatelowE492Sorbitan tristearatelowE493Sorbitan monolauratelowE494Sorbitan monooleatelowE495Sorbitan monopalmitatelow
See all emulsifiers →Updated 21 October 2026
Sources (3)
- Open Food Facts additives taxonomy (Yenzo's table cites no EFSA opinion for this code). Open Food Facts additives taxonomy, https://github.com/openfoodfacts/openfoodfacts-server/blob/main/taxonomies/additives.txt (entry en:e491)
- Thông tư 24/2019/TT-BYT (văn bản hợp nhất 09/VBHN-BYT), Phụ lục 2A: nhóm thực phẩm được phép dùng INS 491, 492 và 493
- EFSA Journal (2025). Scientific opinion on the safety of a proposed amendment of the conditions of use of the food additive sorbitan monostearate (E 491) in preparations of the food enzyme asparaginase