Sorbitan monolaurate
Function: Emulsifier
E493 is the European food-additive number for Sorbitan monolaurate, an emulsifier — helps ingredients that normally separate, like oil and water, stay mixed. Sorbitan monolaurate (E493) is an emulsifier used as a food additive.
What is E493 used for?
Sorbitan monolaurate (E493) is an emulsifier — helps ingredients that normally separate, like oil and water, stay mixed. It is added during food production for a technological purpose rather than for nutrition. See all emulsifiers (E-numbers).
Is E493 safe or restricted?
E493 is approved for use in the EU. It sits among the additives EFSA keeps under ongoing review as new evidence is published. Forkin classifies it as “Under monitoring” and does not make health claims. See the methodology for how regulatory levels are assigned, or the guide to how EU additives are approved, re-evaluated and banned.
Is E493 vegan or vegetarian?
Sorbitan monolaurate (E493) can be produced from plant, mineral, or animal-derived raw materials, and the ingredient list rarely states which source was used — so its vegan status genuinely depends on the specific product.
The production source can vary between manufacturers — the Forkin app shows the verified vegan and vegetarian status per product. Always read the label for allergens.
Which foods contain E493?
E493 appears in 33 of the 4.6 million products in Forkin's catalogue — most often in pastry, extruded snacks and gummy candy.
- Pastry4
- Extruded Snacks2
- Gummy Candy2
- Pain Relief Cream / Gel1
- Strawberry1
- Herbal Supplements1
- Sweet Pastries1
- Naan / Flatbread1
Often appears alongside
Additives most frequently found in the same ingredient lists as E493 across the catalogue.
Counts reflect Forkin's independently enriched product catalogue and update as new products are added — they are not a market-share statistic.
Frequently asked questions about E493
- What is E493?
- E493 is the E-number for Sorbitan monolaurate, an emulsifier — helps ingredients that normally separate, like oil and water, stay mixed. Sorbitan monolaurate (E493) is an emulsifier used as a food additive.
- What is E493 used for?
- Sorbitan monolaurate (E493) is an emulsifier — helps ingredients that normally separate, like oil and water, stay mixed. Manufacturers add it during processing rather than for nutrition. The Forkin app shows which products in your scan history actually contain it.
- Which foods contain E493?
- E493 appears in 33 of the 4.6 million products in Forkin's catalogue — most often in pastry, extruded snacks and gummy candy. Scan any barcode with the Forkin app to see instantly whether a specific product contains it.
- Is E493 vegan or vegetarian?
- Sorbitan monolaurate (E493) can be produced from plant, mineral, or animal-derived raw materials, and the ingredient list rarely states which source was used — so its vegan status genuinely depends on the specific product. The Forkin app shows the verified vegan and vegetarian status per product, since the source can vary between manufacturers.
- Is E493 safe, and is it banned anywhere?
- E493 is approved for use in the EU. It sits among the additives EFSA keeps under ongoing review as new evidence is published. Forkin classifies it as "Under monitoring" and does not make health claims — see the methodology page for how regulatory levels are assigned, and the Forkin app for the full profile, including acceptable daily intake (ADI) and restrictions by country.
See the full profile in Forkin
The Forkin app surfaces the full regulatory profile of E493 — acceptable daily intake (ADI), restrictions by country, vegan/vegetarian status, alternative names, and which products in your scan history contain it. See how Forkin compares to other scanners or view pricing.