Is Polysorbate 20 (E432) Vegan?

Also known as: Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate, Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, INS 432

Related additives: Sorbitan monolaurate (E493)

Vegan

Last checked 15 Oct 2026 How we decide

Polysorbate 20 is vegan. Commercial lauric acid comes from the lauric oils, coconut and palm kernel oil, and the sorbitol comes from plant starch glucose. The specification asks only for edible commercial lauric acid and does not name the oil.

What is Polysorbate 20?

Polysorbate 20 (E432) is lauric acid esters of sorbitol reacted with about 20 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of sorbitol, which makes it dissolve in water. It works as an emulsifier and dispersing agent.

Ingredient Data

Vegan Status

Vegan

E-Number

E432

Also Known As

Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate; Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate; INS 432

Source

Sorbitol esters of lauric acid are reacted with about 20 moles of ethylene oxide, a synthetic gas, per mole of sorbitol. EFSA reports sorbitol for the related sorbitan esters as made from glucose obtained from maize or tapioca. Coconut oil is a major commercial source of lauric acid, alongside palm kernel oil.

Commonly Found In

The EU authorizes the polysorbates group (E432 to E436) in a wide variety of foods at 500 to 10,000 mg/kg, and in carbonated drinks at 10 mg/kg as an anti-foaming agent, and in food supplements at quantum satis.

Additional Notes

The documented lauric acid supply is coconut and palm kernel oil, so the plant source holds for ordinary food-grade material. The JECFA specification only says edible commercial lauric acid, so a supplier statement or a vegan mark removes any doubt.

Frequently asked questions

Is polysorbate 20 the same as polysorbate 80?

No. Polysorbate 20 (E432) is built on lauric acid and polysorbate 80 (E433) on oleic acid. Lauric acid comes from coconut and palm kernel oil, while oleic acid can also come from animal tallow.

Does polysorbate 20 come from coconut?

Its fatty part is lauric acid, and coconut oil is a major commercial source of it alongside palm kernel oil. The number in polysorbate 20 marks the lauric acid type, while every polysorbate carries about 20 units of ethylene oxide.