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Substance group

What counts as Sorbitan esters (E 491–495)?

2 markets define Sorbitan esters (E 491–495), and they don't all agree. Read each definition below. You tell us if your product contains it; we never guess from its name.

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Group

Definitions

Market
Definition
Listed members
Source
Annex II Part C: E 491–495: Sorbitan esters
Sorbitan monostearate, Sorbitan tristearate, Sorbitan monolaurate, Sorbitan monooleate, Sorbitan monopalmitate
“E 491–495: Sorbitan esters”
Annex II, line 1710 (excerpt) · fetched 2026-10-09European Commission / Publications Office (CELLAR): Annex II, line 1710(opens in a new tab)
Annex II Part C (GB): E 491–495: Sorbitan esters
Sorbitan monostearate, Sorbitan tristearate, Sorbitan monolaurate, Sorbitan monooleate, Sorbitan monopalmitate
“E 491–495: Sorbitan esters”
Annex II, line 766 (excerpt) · fetched 2026-10-10The National Archives (legislation.gov.uk): Annex II, line 766(opens in a new tab)

Rules

Rules that use these definitions

33 rules.

Requirement
Applies when
Effective
Source
LimitGB
Sorbitan esters (E 491–495) as defined in Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales)

Limit 5000 mg/kg (content basis)

Official text, current to 28 Jun 2024. legislation.gov.uk point-in-time version 2024-06-28 of Annex II, which the FSA register cites as the terms of authorisation (Annex II was omitted from the revised text from 2025-04-01).

  • EU food category: Total diet replacement for weight control food as defined by Regulation (EU) No 609/2013 [13.3]

Depends on: eu food category code

In force since 20 Jan 2010

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 20 Jan 2010

Applies in GB from 20 January 2010 (retained Art. 35); the Annex text is the version in force on 2024-06-28, the last before Annex II was omitted from the revised legislation on 1 April 2025 (S.I. 2025/361); the FSA register keeps these terms of authorisation. Amendment dates of single rows not tracked.

From the official list: E 491-495 · Sorbitan esters · 5 000 · (1)

LimitGB
Sorbitan esters (E 491–495) as defined in Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales)

Limit 500 mg/l (content basis)

Official text, current to 28 Jun 2024. legislation.gov.uk point-in-time version 2024-06-28 of Annex II, which the FSA register cites as the terms of authorisation (Annex II was omitted from the revised text from 2025-04-01).

  • EU food category: Other [14.1.5.2]

Depends on: eu food category code

In force since 20 Jan 2010

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 20 Jan 2010

Applies in GB from 20 January 2010 (retained Art. 35); the Annex text is the version in force on 2024-06-28, the last before Annex II was omitted from the revised legislation on 1 April 2025 (S.I. 2025/361); the FSA register keeps these terms of authorisation. Amendment dates of single rows not tracked.

From the official list: E 491-495 · Sorbitan esters · 500 · (1) · only liquid tea concentrates and liquid fruit and herbal infusion concentrates

LimitGB
Sorbitan esters (E 491–495) as defined in Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales)

Limit 5000 mg/kg (content basis)

Official text, current to 28 Jun 2024. legislation.gov.uk point-in-time version 2024-06-28 of Annex II, which the FSA register cites as the terms of authorisation (Annex II was omitted from the revised text from 2025-04-01).

  • EU food category: Desserts excluding products covered in categories 1, 3 and 4 [16]

Depends on: eu food category code

In force since 20 Jan 2010

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 20 Jan 2010

Applies in GB from 20 January 2010 (retained Art. 35); the Annex text is the version in force on 2024-06-28, the last before Annex II was omitted from the revised legislation on 1 April 2025 (S.I. 2025/361); the FSA register keeps these terms of authorisation. Amendment dates of single rows not tracked.

From the official list: E 491-495 · Sorbitan esters · 5 000 · (1)

See also

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