sorbitan tristearate
Also known as: Span 65, STS, sorbitan stearate, E492, sorbitan trioctadecanoate
Commercial source: vegetable (sorbitan: corn, potato, wheat, or tapioca starches; tristearate: palm, soybean, or sunflower oils)
Used in: chocolate, cocoa butter, palm oil, coconut oil, margarine, ice cream, frozen foods, ready-to-eat meals, dips, spreads, sauces, salad dressings, puddings, imitation whipped cream, icings, baked goods, cake mixes, flavors, fragrances, candy, chewing gum, milk and cream whiteners, beverage whiteners, edible ices, human and animal dietary supplements, cosmetics, personal care products, pharmaceuticals, cleaning products, plastics, coatings, paints, inks, pesticides, firefighting foams, candles, and textile, paper, metalworking and rubber industries
Used as: emulsifier, texture enhancer, humectant, surfactant, aerating agent, antiblooming agent, crystal inhibitor, releasing agent, dispersing agent, binder, softening agent, antistatic agent, carrier agent
Definition: A close chemical cousin of sorbitan monostearate, STS is formed from sorbitol and stearic acid. Among its many food applications, STS is used in chilled and frozen prepared foods to control crystallization and improve freeze-thaw tolerance while it also maintains blend consistency in shelf-stable spreads.
Classification: Typically Vegan*
*Stearic acid is found in animal fats, but no companies surveyed use animal fats to manufacture sorbitan tristearate.
Manufacturers:
Blentek: “Our sorbitan tristearate is a completely plant-derived ingredient…produced from raw materials derived from vegetable origin.”
Guangdong Huana Chemistry Co., Ltd.: “Our sorbitan tristearate is of vegetable origin…sorbitol is from corn and stearic acid is from palm oil.”
Mohini Organics Pvt. Ltd.: “The sources of the materials are the same for both [SMS and STS]…stearic acid is from a palm source, and sorbitol is from tapioca.”
Lasenor: “Sorbitol is sourced from wheat…and stearic acid is derived from palm oil.”
Additional Information:
- Sorbitan tristearate does not have GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration like many food ingredients have, but it is permitted by the FDA for food use.
- Ataman Chemicals
Entry added: August 2026
See more ingredient information at https://www.vrg.org/ingredients/index.php
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