Are polysorbates (E432–E436) vegetarian?
Green — vegetarianCheck
It depends on the source, which labels often don't state. Fatty-acid emulsifier — can be animal- or plant-derived, source not stated. LabelSense shows Green with a Check flag naming the ingredient, so you know exactly what to confirm.
By diet
| Diet | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Vegetarian No meat, no fish, no egg. | Check the source |
| Eggetarian Vegetarian, and egg is fine. | Check the source |
| Pescetarian Vegetarian plus fish and seafood. | Check the source |
| Vegan No dairy, honey or any animal by-product. | Check the source |
| Jain No onion, garlic, root vegetables, fungi or honey. | Check the source |
| Swaminarayan Vegetarian, without the onion–garlic family. | Check the source |
These verdicts are exactly what LabelSense shows for a label listing “ascorbyl palmitate” and nothing else. On a real pack, the other ingredients count too.
What settles the source
LabelSense clears the flag when the label itself settles the source: a phrase pinning it to a plant source, a "suitable for vegetarians" or vegan claim, or a kosher pareve mark. A halal mark does not settle it — halal only rules out pork. If none appear, check with the manufacturer.
Phrases LabelSense accepts: “vegetable emulsifier”, “from vegetable oil”, “vegetable origin”, “plant-based”, “plant based”, “of vegetable origin”, “vegetable-derived”.
How it appears on labels
E304304ascorbyl palmitateascorbyl stearateE430430E431431polyoxyethylene stearateE432432E433433E434434E435435E436436polysorbatepolysorbatesE473473sucrose esterssucrose esters of fatty acidssucroglyceridesE474474E483483stearyl tartrateE491491E492492E493493E494494E495495sorbitan monostearatesorbitan tristearate
Related ingredients
Results come from reading the label. Always check the pack yourself, especially for allergies. Ingredient sources can change without notice — when a label doesn't settle it, ask the manufacturer.
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