E491 — Sorbitan monostearate

Needs verification

E491 (Sorbitan monostearate) needs verification. An emulsifier and anti-crystallising agent.

Why it needs verification

Stearate can come from plant or animal fat.

Where you meet it

Chocolate coatings, cake icing, yeast.

What to do in the shop

Look for a product that names the source, says plant-based or vegan, or carries a halal certificate. If nothing on the packet settles it, the manufacturer can tell you, and their answer is the only thing that turns E491 from a question into an answer.

A status here describes the additive in general — a specific product can be different. The same number can be made from plant or animal material depending on the manufacturer, and the label does not say which.

Questions people ask

Is E491 halal?

E491 (Sorbitan monostearate) needs verification. Stearate can come from plant or animal fat.

How do I know if the E491 in a product is halal?

Only the manufacturer can tell you which source they used, unless the packet says plant-based, vegan, or carries a halal certificate.

Related additives

E492 — Sorbitan tristearate · Needs verification
E493 — Sorbitan monolaurate · Needs verification
E495 — Sorbitan monopalmitate · Needs verification

See all E-numbers →

Check a product, not just a number

An additive's status describes the additive in general. What matters is the whole ingredient list on the packet in your hand.

This is information, not a fatwa. These statuses combine published scholarly positions with ingredient analysis, and they can be incomplete or out of date. For anything that matters, confirm with the manufacturer and with a qualified authority.