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E481 - Sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate

Additive: E481 - Sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate

Functions: Emulsifier, Stabilizer

Sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate -sodium stearoyl lactylate or SSL- is a versatile, FDA approved food additive used to improve the mix tolerance and volume of processed foods. It is one type of a commercially available lactylate. SSL is non-toxic, biodegradable, and typically manufactured using biorenewable feedstocks. Because SSL is a safe and highly effective food additive, it is used in a wide variety of products ranging from baked goods and desserts to pet foods.As described by the Food Chemicals Codex 7th edition, SSL is a cream-colored powder or brittle solid. SSL is currently manufactured by the esterification of stearic acid with lactic acid and partially neutralized with either food-grade soda ash -sodium carbonate- or caustic soda -concentrated sodium hydroxide-. Commercial grade SSL is a mixture of sodium salts of stearoyl lactylic acids and minor proportions of other sodium salts of related acids. The HLB for SSL is 10-12. SSL is slightly hygroscopic, soluble in ethanol and in hot oil or fat, and dispersible in warm water. These properties are the reason that SSL is an excellent emulsifier for fat-in-water emulsions and can also function as a humectant. - Wikipedia

Risk of overexposure

EFSA evaluation: Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate -E 481- and calcium stearoyl-2-lactylate -E 482- as food additives. (2013-05-13)

High risk of over exposure
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has determined that some population groups have a high risk of consuming too much E481 - Sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate.

To evaluate your exposure to the E481 - Sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate food additive, you can browse our list of products that contain it. See the list of products with E481 - Sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate below.

  InfantsToddlersChildrenAdolescentsAdultsElderly
  < 11 to 23 to 910 to 1718 to 6465+
Most people
(over 50%)		 Groups with more than 50% of members exceeding the acceptable daily intake (ADI)Groups with more than 50% of members exceeding the acceptable daily intake (ADI)Groups with more than 50% of members exceeding the acceptable daily intake (ADI)  
Some people
(over 5%)		 Groups with more than 5% of members exceeding the acceptable daily intake (ADI)Groups with more than 5% of members exceeding the acceptable daily intake (ADI)Groups with more than 5% of members exceeding the acceptable daily intake (ADI)Groups with more than 5% of members exceeding the acceptable daily intake (ADI)Groups with more than 5% of members exceeding the acceptable daily intake (ADI)

Risk of exceeding the acceptable daily intake (ADI) : Risk of exceeding the acceptable daily intake (ADI)

Names: Stéaroyl-2-lactylate de sodium, Stéaryl de sodium lactylé, Oléyl de sodium lactylé