My diet:

E435 Polysorbate 60

E435EmulsifiersOrigin: Lab-made
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Every diet

VeganDepends

Stearic acid in polysorbate 60 may be from plants or from tallow.

Gluten-freeYes
HalalDepends

Polysorbate 60's fat source decides halal status.

KosherDepends

Polysorbate 60's fat source decides kosher status.

KetoYes
Low-FODMAPYes
The short answer
Polysorbate 60 (E435) keeps cakes, whipped toppings and oil-soluble vitamins from separating. It is allowed with limits. Whether it is vegan depends on the stearic acid.
Use in moderation

Safe in small amounts; may bother some people or raise blood sugar.

E-numberE435
Comes fromLab-made
What it doesEmulsifiers
Glycemic index—
Daily limit25 mg/kg
Also calledPolysorbate 60, Tween 60

Rules by country

🇺🇸 US FDAApproved with limits
🇪🇺 European UnionApproved with limits
🇨🇦 Health CanadaApproved with limits
CaliforniaNo extra rules

Polysorbate 60 is approved with category limits in the US (21 CFR 172.836) and in the EU and Canada. It shares EFSA's 25 mg per kg group limit for polysorbates E432 to E436.

How much is too much? (Acceptable Daily Intake)

1.8 gper day is the safe upper limit

Based on 25 mg per kg of body weight (EFSA / JECFA). A 20 kg (44 lb) child: 500 mg a day.

What is it?

Bakers use polysorbate 60 to hold air and oil in cake batter and non-dairy whipped topping. It is a close relative of polysorbate 80, with a different fatty acid.

Where it comes from: Polysorbate 60 is the stearic-acid member of the polysorbate family. Stearic acid can be taken from vegetable oil or from animal fat, then reacted with sorbitol and ethylene oxide.

Why it’s in food

  • Stabilizes whipped topping
  • Softens cake crumb
  • Carries vitamins
  • Emulsifies dressings

Often found in

Whipped toppingsCakesDressingsVitamin oilsBreadCoffee whitener

Also listed as: Polysorbate 60, Tween 60, Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate

Health & gut impact

Shared limitUnder study

Polysorbate 60 counts toward the same 25 mg per kg group limit as the other polysorbates.

EFSA re-evaluation of polysorbates (2015)

US capConcern

US rules cap how much polysorbate 60 each food category may contain, rather than leaving the amount to the maker.

21 CFR 172.836

What can I use instead?

Lecithin

Ratio: Recipe dependent

Best for: Cakes and chocolate

Mono- and diglycerides

Ratio: Baker's ratio

Best for: Crumb softness

Related

More emulsifiers:

Ammonium phosphatides E442Ammonium phosphatides (E442) are a chocolate emulsifier made from vegetable oil. They are an alternative to soy lecithin when a recipe needs chocolate to flow, and they are considered safe.Generally safeBrominated vegetable oil (BVO)Brominated vegetable oil (BVO) kept the citrus flavor from floating to the top of some sodas. The FDA banned it in 2024 because of thyroid effects, so check older or imported citrus drinks.Best to avoidDATEM (Diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides) E472eDATEM (E472e) is a dough strengthener that gives sandwich bread its tall, soft crumb. It's safe, but the fat it's made from may be animal-based.Generally safeLecithin (Soy / Sunflower) E322Lecithin (E322) is a natural fat from soy or sunflower that keeps chocolate, dressings and baked goods smooth. It's safe, vegan and gluten-free. People with a soy allergy should look for sunflower lecithin.Generally safe

Common questions

Does polysorbate 60 contain polyethylene?

It contains short chains made with ethylene oxide, attached to a sugar-alcohol and a fatty acid. It is not a plastic bag melted into food.

Is Polysorbate 60 safe?

Use in moderation (57/100). Polysorbate 60 is approved with category limits in the US (21 CFR 172.836) and in the EU and Canada. It shares EFSA's 25 mg per kg group limit for polysorbates E432 to E436.

Is Polysorbate 60 vegan?

Depends. Stearic acid in polysorbate 60 may be from plants or from tallow.

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Scientific sources & regulatory citations
  • 21 CFR 172.836 (US FDA)
  • EFSA OpenFoodTox: E435
  • EFSA re-evaluation of polysorbates (2015)
  • 21 CFR 172.836

INS 435 · CAS 9005-67-8