E483 · Stearyl tartrate, Stearyl palmityl tartrate
- WHO
- Use caution
- FDA
- Use caution
- EFSA
- Better avoided
- FSANZ
- Better avoided
- Japan
- Use caution
- UK FSA
- Use caution
- Health Canada
- Use caution
What is E483?
Stearyl tartrate is an ester of tartaric acid with long-chain fatty alcohols (mainly stearyl and palmityl), used as an emulsifier and dough-strengthening agent. The fatty alcohols can be sourced from vegetable oils or animal fat, so origin should be verified for strict diets. EFSA found the available toxicology data insufficient to confirm safety, and the EU has withdrawn its authorization, so use now varies by jurisdiction and it is rarely found in modern food products.
Also appears on labels as: Stearyl tartrate, Stearyl palmityl tartrate, Tartrates of stearyl alcohol, Tartrates of stearyl and palmityl alcohol, Stearyl alcohol tartrate, Palmityl stearyl tartrate, Mixed stearyl and palmityl tartrates, Fatty acid tartrates (stearyl, palmityl), E483, E 483, E-483, Stearyl tartrates.
What the evidence says
- Insufficient modern toxicology data, including genotoxicity studies.
- No current acceptable daily intake (ADI) has been established.
- EU food-additive authorization was withdrawn due to lack of adequate safety data.
Research behind the verdict
- Re‐evaluation of stearyl tartrate (E 483) as a food additive — EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings (FAF), EFSA Journal (2020). The Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings (FAF) provided a scientific opinion re‐evaluating the safety of stearyl tartrate (E 483) as a food additive. The Panel found that adequate toxicity data on stearyl tartrate were not available for its re‐evaluation, and adequate data demonstrating complete hydrolysis in the gastrointestinal tract were also not available. Due to insufficient safety data, the Panel could not establish a safe use level.[avoid]
- EU bans stearyl tartrate (E 483) as food additive — European Commission, Official Journal of the European Union (2023). Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2379 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 removes stearyl tartrate (E 483) from the list of approved food additives. The EU has banned the use of stearyl tartrate (E 483) in food from 23 April 2024 due to insufficient safety data and inability to establish safe use levels following EFSA safety review.[dangerous]
Frequently asked questions
Is E483 safe?
Our overall verdict for E483 (Stearyl tartrate, Stearyl palmityl tartrate) is “Better avoided”, based on the most cautious of the major regulators’ positions — FDA: use caution; WHO: use caution; EFSA: better avoided; FSANZ: better avoided; Japan: use caution; UK FSA: use caution; Health Canada: use caution.
Is E483 vegan, halal or gluten-free?
According to our ingredient data for Stearyl tartrate, Stearyl palmityl tartrate — vegan: no, vegetarian: no, halal: no, kosher: no, gluten-free: yes, dairy-free: yes. Manufacturing sources can vary between products; check the label if it matters to you.
What is E483 and why is it used?
Stearyl tartrate is an ester of tartaric acid with long-chain fatty alcohols (mainly stearyl and palmityl), used as an emulsifier and dough-strengthening agent. The fatty alcohols can be sourced from vegetable oils or animal fat, so origin should be verified for strict diets. EFSA found the available toxicology data insufficient to confirm safety, and the EU has withdrawn its authorization, so use now varies by jurisdiction and it is rarely found in modern food products.
Does E483 contain allergens?
No known allergens are recorded for Stearyl tartrate, Stearyl palmityl tartrate.
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This page summarises publicly available regulatory assessments and research. It is general information, not medical advice. Sources: EFSA, FDA, WHO and the studies linked above.