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Emulsifier

E493 (sorbitan monolaurate): what it is, its sources, vegan or not

E493 can come from plant oils or animal fat, and the pack rarely says which. Vegetarian and vegan profiles get Heads up: source not stated.

By Bravoora teamUpdated 13 October 2026Sources checked 20 September 20264 sourcesHow we check

Heads up

for a vegan profile

E493=source not stated

What is E493?

E493 (sorbitan monolaurate) is an emulsifier, an additive that keeps oil and water mixed in a food.

What is E493 made from?

E493 can come from plant oils or animal fat. The source is not stated on the pack: a label does not have to say which of these was used.

Plant oils
Animal fat

Is E493 vegan?

Heads up. Source not stated. E493 can come from plant oils or animal fat. The pack does not have to say which, so the app says Heads up instead of guessing.

What the app says to each profile, and the reason it shows.

VeganHeads upSource not stated. E493 can come from plant oils or animal fat. The pack does not have to say which, so the app says Heads up instead of guessing.

VegetarianHeads upSource not stated. E493 can come from plant oils or animal fat. One of those is meat, fish or a slaughter by-product, and the pack does not have to say which.

What other names does E493 have on a label?

On a label, E493 can also appear as “INS 493”, “Emulsifier (493)”, “Emulsifier (E493)” or “Sorbitan monolaurate”.

Any of these on a pack means E493. The checker reads them all.

E493E 493E-493INS 493Emulsifier (493)Emulsifier (E493)Sorbitan monolaurate

What would change the answer for E493?

For E493, a stated source changes the answer. A pack that says “from plant oils” gives Fits you; one that says “from animal fat” gives Not for you. A list that is cut off or unreadable gets Needs one more scan.