Ammonium stearate
Not authorised in EU, but permitted in AU-NZ and US. No evidence of harm at dietary intake.
- Category
- Emulsifiers
- Vegan
- maybe
- Vegetarian
- maybe
What it is
An ammonium salt of stearic acid used as an emulsifier and anti-caking agent.
How it is used in food
Acts as an anti-caking agent and emulsifier-type processing aid, helping fat-based and powdered products maintain uniform texture and resist clumping.
Commonly found in- Historically in food
- Cosmetics
Health and safety
No known risks at typical dietary levels.
There is little dedicated toxicology because in the gut it simply hydrolyses into ammonium ions and stearic acid — a fatty acid abundant in meat, dairy and cocoa butter. Safety assessments of the stearate family have found no adverse effects at realistic dietary intakes.
Regulatory status
| Region | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Australia & New Zealand FSANZ |
Permitted | Permitted under the FSANZ Food Standards Code. |
| European Union EFSA / European Commission |
Not approved | Not on the EU authorised list of food additives (Annex II). |
| United States FDA (Food and Drug Administration) |
Permitted | Authorised for food use by the FDA (often GRAS for standard additives). |
Identification on labels
- E-number
- E571
Worth knowing
Its regulatory status is a patchwork: never taken up in the harmonised EU additive list, yet permitted in Australia–New Zealand and the United States — a reminder that E-number-style codes do not mean identical rules worldwide.
Conclusion
An unauthorized emulsifier.
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Open the appEntry last reviewed 2026-07-28.
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