Polyoxyethylene Stearate
Level 5 — High concernIn Winter's Dictionary
Polyoxyethylene Stearate is a emulsifier — Waxy solid formerly added to bread to make it 'feel fresh'
What it does
Waxy solid formerly added to bread to make it 'feel fresh'
Where you'll see it
(banned in bread)
What the research says
Fed to rats as one-fourth of their diets resulted in bladder stones and subsequent tumors. Banned in 1952. Can contain harmful by-products.
Regulatory status
- US FDA: BAN
- Notes: Banned in 1952. European Parliament 2003 says contains harmful by-products (ethylene oxide, mono- and diethylene glycols)
Sources
- A Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives (Winter): Banned in 1952. The European Parliament said in 2003 that this synthetic stabilizing agent can contain harmful by-products