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Answer: Polysorbate 80 is restricted (not fully banned) in European Union (ADI 25 mg/kg body weight per day), Australia. The FDA still allows it in US food. Commonly found in: Ice cream (most commercial brands), Non-dairy creamers, Whipped topping.
TL;DR: Polysorbate 80 is restricted in the EU but allowed in the US (food additives).
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Also called Tween 80. (E433)
Other names: P80, E433, Tween 80, Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate
| EU status | Restricted |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | — |
| Where it shows up | Ice cream (most commercial brands), Non-dairy creamers, Whipped topping, Salad dressings, Pickles, Some baked goods |
Polysorbate 80 (Tween 80) is a synthetic nonionic surfactant and emulsifier derived from sorbitol and oleic acid (from vegetable oils) through ethoxylation. It is widely used in food to keep water-based and oil-based ingredients uniformly mixed. Chemical formula: polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate.
Polysorbate 80 is used as an emulsifier and stabilizer in ice cream, non-dairy creamers, salad dressings, whipped toppings, pickles, and various other foods to maintain smooth texture, prevent separation, and improve creaminess. It is also widely used in pharmaceutical products, cosmetics, and vaccines.
Emerging research has raised concerns about polysorbate 80's effects on the gut. A landmark 2015 study in Nature (Chassaing et al.) found that dietary polysorbate 80 and polysorbate 60 at concentrations approaching food use levels promoted colitis and metabolic syndrome in genetically susceptible mice by disrupting the intestinal mucus layer and altering gut microbiome composition. The emulsifiers thinned the protective mucus layer, allowing bacteria to come into closer contact with gut epithelial cells and triggering inflammation. This study was a seminal contribution to gut health research, though it was conducted in mice and requires confirmation in humans. A 2020 follow-up study found that dietary emulsifiers including polysorbate 80 promoted gut inflammation and altered gut microbiome in human participants with Crohn's disease. People with inflammatory bowel disease may be most vulnerable to polysorbate 80's potential gut effects.
For educational use only. This page summarizes the regulatory status of Polysorbate 80with citations to the primary sources below. It is not medical advice. Regulatory status is not the same as a proven health effect — read the cited sources for their exact wording, and consult a doctor for decisions about your or your family's health.
Lecithin (soy or sunflower, natural emulsifier), mono and diglycerides, and various plant-based emulsifiers can substitute in many applications. Some natural ice cream brands use egg yolk lecithin or guar gum instead of polysorbate 80.
A 2015 Nature study found polysorbate 80 promoted gut inflammation and metabolic syndrome in mice by disrupting the intestinal mucus layer. A 2020 human study found associations with gut inflammation in Crohn's disease patients. Evidence is emerging but not yet conclusive for the general population.
Commercial ice cream, non-dairy creamers, whipped topping, salad dressings, and pickles. Also widely used in medications, vitamins, and vaccines.
FDA and EFSA consider it safe at ADI levels (25 mg/kg/day per EFSA). However, the 2015 Nature emulsifier study raised new gut microbiome concerns. People with IBD or gut sensitivity may want to avoid it precautionarily.
No. It is a synthetic compound produced by the ethoxylation of sorbitan monooleate (derived from vegetable sources). The ethoxylation process uses petroleum-derived ethylene oxide. Despite having vegetable-derived starting materials, polysorbate 80 is a synthetic food additive.
Yes. Polysorbate 80 is used as a stabilizer in several vaccines, including some flu vaccines and others. Very rare vaccine hypersensitivity reactions have been attributed to polysorbate 80. People with known polysorbate 80 allergy should inform their healthcare provider before vaccination.
The 2015 Nature study found polysorbate 80 altered gut microbiome composition in mice, reducing microbial diversity and promoting bacteria species associated with inflammation. It also thinned the protective mucus layer of the intestine. The relevance to human dietary exposure requires further research.
Scan any product's barcode and instantly see if it contains Polysorbate 80 or other ingredients banned overseas.
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Check labels for 'polysorbate 80,' 'polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate,' or 'E433.' Choose natural ice cream brands using egg yolk or lecithin as emulsifiers. Choose certified organic products where possible. Read ingredient lists carefully on creamy processed foods.
A 2020 study found associations between dietary emulsifier intake including polysorbate 80 and gut inflammation in Crohn's disease patients. The biologically plausible mechanism (disruption of gut mucus barrier) makes polysorbate 80 worth avoiding for people with IBD or other gut conditions.
Audited products that don't contain Polysorbate 80.
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