Is e570 vegan?

E570 is the food additive code for stearic acid, a saturated fatty acid used primarily as an emulsifier, stabilizer, and anti-caking agent. It is produced by splitting natural fats and oils using steam at high temperatures and pressures, followed by distillation. Food manufacturers frequently use it in chewing gum, hard candies, baked goods, dietary supplement tablets, and food flavorings.

This ingredient is classified as possibly vegan because it can be derived from either plant or animal materials. Plant-derived stearic acid typically comes from vegetable oils such as palm oil, coconut oil, soy, or shea butter. Animal-derived stearic acid is obtained from rendered livestock fats, such as beef tallow or pork lard.

Standard packaging rarely specifies the origin of the fat used to create E570. To confirm whether a product containing this ingredient is suitable for a vegan diet, consumers must look for an official vegan certification mark or contact the manufacturer directly to verify the raw source.