YenzoWhat is E495 (sorbitan monopalmitate)?
According to Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, sorbitan monopalmitate (INS 495) has the function emulsifier.
E495Sorbitan monopalmitate
E495 is sorbitan monopalmitate. In Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT it has the function emulsifier.
- Code
- E495 · INS 495
- Group
- Emulsifier
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 E495 appears on labels
IngredientsIllustrative example
Wheat flour, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, emulsifier (495), dried onion and garlic, pepper, natural colour (160a).
emulsifier (495)emulsifier 495E495INS 495On Vietnamese labels: Sorbitan monopalmitat
Questions about sorbitan monopalmitate
Is sorbitan monopalmitate harmful?
In 2017, re-evaluating the sorbitan esters (E491–E495), EFSA set a group ADI of 10 mg/kg body weight per day, expressed as sorbitan, for these substances singly or in combination. EFSA concluded that mean and 95th percentile exposure did not exceed the ADI in any population group, and that there is no safety concern at the reported uses and use levels. The main contributors to exposure are bakery wares, desserts, chocolate, confectionery and fat emulsions.
Is E495 permitted in Vietnam?
Yes. Sorbitan monopalmitate (INS 495) is listed in Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, the list of additives permitted in food.
Can children and pregnant women have E495?
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 tristearatelowE493Sorbitan monolauratelowE494Sorbitan monooleatelow
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:e495)
- Thông tư 24/2019/TT-BYT (văn bản hợp nhất 09/VBHN-BYT), Phụ lục 1
- EFSA Journal (2017). Re-evaluation of sorbitan monostearate (E 491), sorbitan tristearate (E 492), sorbitan monolaurate (E 493), sorbitan monooleate (E 494) and sorbitan monopalmitate (E 495) when used as food additives
- 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