What it is
An ethoxylated sorbitan ester derived from sorbitol and oleic acid.
What it does
Emulsifier and solubiliser in foods, vaccines, and cosmetics.
Why it’s a concern
Ethoxylation creates the potential for 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide contamination. A 2015 study (Chassaing et al., Nature) suggested polysorbate 80 and carboxymethylcellulose disrupted gut microbiota and promoted intestinal inflammation in mouse models at dietary-relevant doses.
Also known as
tween 80polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate
CAS numbers
9005-65-6
Commonly found in
ice creamvaccineslotionprocessed food
Safer alternatives
- non-ethoxylated emulsifiers (lecithin, cetearyl olivate)
Related chemical families
Sources
- Chassaing et al. 2015, Nature