YenzoWhat is E493 (sorbitan monolaurate)?
E493 stands for sorbitan monolaurate. Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT lists these functions: emulsifier, stabilizer.
E493Sorbitan monolaurate
E493 stands for sorbitan monolaurate. Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT lists these functions: emulsifier, stabilizer.
Did you know? EFSA (2019) assessed sorbitan monolaurate as an emulsifier feed additive, at a proposed maximum of 85 mg/kg complete feed.
- Code
- E493 · INS 493
- 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 E493 appears on labels
IngredientsIllustrative example
Wheat flour, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, emulsifier (493), dried onion and garlic, pepper, natural colour (160a).
emulsifier (493)emulsifier 493E493INS 493On Vietnamese labels: Sorbitan monolaurat
Sorbitan monolaurate 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 monolaurate
Is sorbitan monolaurate 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 E493 permitted in Vietnam?
Yes. INS 493 (sorbitan monolaurate) is listed in Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, the list of additives permitted in food.
Can children and pregnant women have E493?
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-lactylatelowE491Sorbitan monostearatelowE492Sorbitan tristearatelowE494Sorbitan monooleatelowE495Sorbitan monopalmitatelow
See all emulsifiers →Updated 21 October 2026
Sources (4)
- 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:e493)
- 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 (2019). Safety and efficacy of sorbitan monolaurate as a feed additive for all animal species
- 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