Emulsifier

Emulsifier: 3.9/5 average safety

According to the FDA SAFFA-derived category taxonomy PlainIngredients uses, Emulsifier ranks #4 of 24 by ingredient count (282 additives), with an average composite safety score of 3.9 out of 5 across the category.

  • #4 of 24 by ingredient count
  • Category average safety: 3.9/5

282 ingredients in this category.

Where Emulsifier sits by ingredient count

Emulsifier holds 282 additives among 24 SAFFA-derived categories (inventory size, not a safety ranking).

Emulsifier vs all categories by ingredient count

Where this category's ingredient COUNT sits among every non-empty PlainIngredients category

282 4th of 24 higher than 20 of 24 categories

Categories, banded by ingredient count

Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more categories. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source FDA Substances Added to Food (SAFFA) Inventory · 2026-09-05

4
Acacia Gum
Low Risk · Approved
4
Acacia, Gum (acacia Senegal (l.) Willd.)
Low Risk · Approved
4
Acetic Acid Esters Of Mono- And Diglycerides Of Fatty Acids
Low Risk · Approved
4
Acetylated Distarch Adipate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Acetylated Distarch Glycerol
Low Risk · Approved
4
Acetylated Distarch Phosphate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Acetylated Oxidised Starch
Low Risk · Approved
4
Acetylated Starch
Low Risk · Approved
4
Acid Sodium Aluminium Phosphate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Acid-Treated Modified Starch
Low Risk · Approved
4
Agar
Low Risk · Approved
4
Alginate, Ammonium
Low Risk · Approved
4
Alginate, Calcium
Low Risk · Approved
4
Alginate, Potassium
Low Risk · Approved
4
Alginate, Sodium
Low Risk · Approved
4
Alginate, Sodium Calcium
Low Risk · Approved
4
Alginic Acid
Low Risk · Approved
4
Alkaline Modified Starch
Low Risk · Approved
4
Alkaline Sodium Aluminium Phosphate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Aluminum Caprate Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Aluminum Caprylate Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Aluminum Laurate Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Aluminum Myristate Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Aluminum Oleate Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Aluminum Palmitate Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Aluminum Salts of Fatty Acids Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Aluminum Stearate Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Aluminum Sulfate Color or Coloring Adjunct
Low Risk · Approved
4
Amidated Pectin
Low Risk · Approved
4
Ammonium Alginate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Ammonium Pectate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Ammonium Phosphatides
Low Risk · Approved
4
Basil, Oil (ocimum Basilicum L.)
Low Risk · Approved
4
Bleached Starch
Low Risk · Approved
4
Bone Phosphate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Calcium Caprate Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Calcium Caprylate Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Calcium Dihydrogen Diphosphate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Calcium Laurate Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Calcium Myristate Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Calcium Palmitate Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Calcium Phosphate, Dibasic Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent, Dough Strengthener, Drying Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Calcium Phosphate, Tribasic Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent, Drying Agent
Low Risk · Approved
2
Calcium Phosphates
Caution · Approved
4
Calcium Salts Of Fatty Acids
Low Risk · Approved
4
Calcium Salts of Fatty Acids Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Calcium Stearate Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent
Low Risk · Approved
2
Calcium Stearoyl-2-Lactylate
Caution · Approved
4
Calcium Stearoyl-2-lactylate Dough Strengthener
Low Risk · Approved
4
Candelilla Wax
Low Risk · Approved
3
Carboxymethyl Cellulose
Mixed · GRAS
4
Carboxymethyl Cellulose Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent, Drying Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Carboxymethyl Hydroxyethyl Cellulose
Low Risk · Approved
4
Carrageenan and Salts of Carrageenan
Low Risk · Approved
4
Carrageenan with Polysorbate 80
Low Risk · Approved
4
Carrageenan, Ammonium Salt of
Low Risk · Approved
4
Carrageenan, Ammonium Salt Of, with Polysorbate 80
Low Risk · Approved
4
Carrageenan, Calcium Salt of
Low Risk · Approved
4
Carrageenan, Calcium Salt Of, with Polysorbate 80
Low Risk · Approved
4
Carrageenan, Potassium Salt of
Low Risk · Approved
4
Carrageenan, Potassium Salt Of, with Polysorbate 80
Low Risk · Approved
4
Carrageenan, Sodium Salt Of, with Polysorbate 80
Low Risk · Approved
4
Casein
Low Risk · Approved
4
Cassia Gum
Low Risk · Approved
4
Castor Oil
Low Risk · Approved
4
Castor Oil (ricinus Communis L.) Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent, Drying Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Cellulose
Low Risk · Approved
4
Cellulose Acetate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Cellulose, Methyl
Low Risk · Approved
4
Cellulose, Methyl Ethyl
Low Risk · Approved
4
D-Maltitol
Low Risk · Approved
4
DATEM
Low Risk · GRAS
4
Desoxycholic Acid
Low Risk · Approved
4
Dextrin
Low Risk · Approved
4
Dicalcium Phosphate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Dimethyl Polysiloxane
Low Risk · Approved
4
Dioctyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate
Low Risk · Approved
2
Diphosphates
Caution · Approved
4
Dipotassium Dihydrogenpyrophosphate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Dipotassium Phosphate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Disodium Citrate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Disodium Diphosphate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Distarch Glycerine
Low Risk · Approved
4
Distarch Glycerol
Low Risk · Approved
4
Distarch Phosphate
Low Risk · Approved
4
E414a Food Additive
Low Risk · Approved
4
E450viii
Low Risk · Approved
4
Enzyme Treated Starch
Low Risk · Approved
4
Enzymes, Proteolytic
Low Risk · Approved
4
Ethulose
Low Risk · Approved
4
Ethyl Alcohol Antimicrobial Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Ethyl Methyl Cellulose
Low Risk · Approved
4
Exxx Food Additive
Low Risk · Approved
4
Furcelleran and Salts of Furcelleran
Low Risk · Approved
4
Furcelleran, Ammonium Salt of
Low Risk · Approved
4
Furcelleran, Calcium Salt of
Low Risk · Approved
4
Furcelleran, Potassium Salt of
Low Risk · Approved
4
Furcelleran, Sodium Salt of
Low Risk · Approved
4
Ghatti, Gum (anogeissus Latifolia Wall.)
Low Risk · Approved
4
Glycerin Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent, Drying Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Glycerin, Synthetic Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent, Drying Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Glycerol Esters Of Wood Rosin
Low Risk · Approved
4
Glyceryl Lactooleate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Glyceryl Lactopalmitate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Glyceryl Monooleate Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent, Drying Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Glyceryl Monostearate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Glyceryl Triacetate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Glyceryl-lacto Esters of Fatty Acids
Low Risk · Approved
4
Gum Arabic, Hydrogen Octenylbutane Dioate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Hydroxy Propyl Distarch Glycerine
Low Risk · Approved
4
Hydroxy Propyl Distarch Glycerol
Low Risk · Approved
4
Hydroxylated Lecithin
Low Risk · Approved
4
Hydroxypropyl Cellulose
Low Risk · Approved
4
Hydroxypropyl Distarch Phosphate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose
Low Risk · Approved
4
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent, Drying Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Hydroxypropyl Starch
Low Risk · Approved
4
Karaya, Gum (sterculia Urens Roxb.)
Low Risk · Approved
4
Karaya-Gum
Low Risk · Approved
4
Konjac
Low Risk · Approved
4
Konjac Gum
Low Risk · Approved
4
Lactic Acid Esters Of Mono- And Diglycerides Of Fatty Acids
Low Risk · Approved
4
Lactitol
Low Risk · Approved
4
Lactylated Fatty Acid Esters of Glycerol and Propylene Glycol
Low Risk · Approved
4
Lactylic Esters of Fatty Acids
Low Risk · Approved
4
Lard
Low Risk · Approved
5
Lecithin (Soy/Sunflower)
Safe · GRAS
4
Lecithin, Benzoyl Peroxide Modified Antioxidant
Low Risk · Approved
4
Lecithin, Enzyme-modified
Low Risk · Approved
4
Lecithin, Hydrogen Peroxide Modified
Low Risk · Approved
4
Magnesium Caprate Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Magnesium Caprylate Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Magnesium Laurate Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Magnesium Myristate Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Magnesium Oleate Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Magnesium Palmitate Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Magnesium Salts Of Fatty Acids
Low Risk · Approved
4
Magnesium Salts of Fatty Acids Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Magnesium Sulfate Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Maltitol Syrup
Low Risk · Approved
4
Methyl Cellulose
Low Risk · Approved
4
Microcrystalline Cellulose
Low Risk · Approved
4
Modified Starch
Low Risk · Approved
4
Mono- And Diacetyltartaric Acid Esters Of Mono- And Diglycerides Of Fatty Acids
Low Risk · Approved
4
Mono- and Diglycerides
Low Risk · GRAS
4
Mono- And Diglycerides Of Fatty Acids
Low Risk · Approved
4
Mono- and Diglycerides, Acetic Acid Esters and Sodium and Calcium Salts
Low Risk · Approved
4
Mono- and Diglycerides, Acetyltartaric Acid Esters and Sodium and Calcium Salts
Low Risk · Approved
4
Mono- and Diglycerides, Citric Acid Esters and Sodium and Calcium Salts
Low Risk · Approved
4
Mono- and Diglycerides, Diacetyltartaric Acid Esters
Low Risk · Approved
4
Mono- and Diglycerides, Ethoxylated Dough Strengthener
Low Risk · Approved
4
Mono- and Diglycerides, Lactic Acid Esters and Sodium and Calcium Salts
Low Risk · Approved
4
Mono- and Diglycerides, Monosodium Phosphate Derivatives
Low Risk · Approved
4
Monocalcium Phosphate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Monoglyceride Citrate Antioxidant
Low Risk · Approved
4
Monoglycerides, Acetylated Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent, Color or Coloring Adjunct, Drying Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Monopotassium Phosphate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Monosodium Citrate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Monostarch Phosphate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Non-Amidated Pectines
Low Risk · Approved
4
Oat Gum
Low Risk · Approved
4
Oligoesters Of Sucrose Type I
Low Risk · Approved
4
Oxidised Starch
Low Risk · Approved
4
Pectin Amide
Low Risk · Approved
4
Pectin, Amidated
Low Risk · Approved
4
Pectin, Modified
Low Risk · Approved
4
Pectins
Low Risk · Approved
4
Pentapotassium Triphosphate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Pentasodium Triphosphate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Phosphated Distarch Phosphate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Polyglycerol Esters Of Fatty Acids
Low Risk · Approved
4
Polyglycerol Polyricinoleate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Polyoxyethylene (40) Stearate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Polyoxyethylene (8) Stearate
Low Risk · Approved
3
Polyoxyethylene Sorbitan Monolaurate
Mixed · Approved
3
Polyoxyethylene Sorbitan Monooleate
Mixed · Approved
3
Polyoxyethylene Sorbitan Monopalmitate
Mixed · Approved
3
Polyoxyethylene Sorbitan Monostearate
Mixed · Approved
3
Polyoxyethylene Sorbitan Tristearate
Mixed · Approved
2
Polyphosphates
Caution · Approved
4
Polysorbate 20 Boiler Water Additive
Low Risk · Approved
4
Polysorbate 60 Boiler Water Additive
Low Risk · Approved
4
Polysorbate 65
Low Risk · Approved
3
Polysorbate 80
Mixed · GRAS
4
Polyvinylpyrrolidone
Low Risk · Approved
4
Potassium Acid Pyrophosphate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Potassium Acid Tartrate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Potassium Alginate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Potassium Caprate Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Potassium Caprylate Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Potassium Citrate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Potassium Laurate Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Potassium Myristate Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Potassium Oleate Antimicrobial Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Potassium Palmitate Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Potassium Pectate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Potassium Pectinate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Potassium Permanganate Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Potassium Phosphate, Tribasic
Low Risk · Approved
2
Potassium Phosphates
Caution · Approved
4
Potassium Polymetaphosphate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Potassium Polyphosphate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Potassium Pyrophosphate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Potassium Salts Of Fatty Acids
Low Risk · Approved
4
Potassium Salts of Fatty Acids Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Powdered Cellulose
Low Risk · Approved
2
Processed Eucheuma Seaweed
Caution · Approved
4
Propane-1‚2-Diol Alginate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Propane-1‚2-Diol Esters Of Fatty Acids
Low Risk · Approved
4
Propylene Glycol Alginate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Propylene Glycol Mono- and Diesters of Fats and Fatty Acids
Low Risk · Approved
4
Propylene Glycol Stearate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Quillaia (quillaja Saponaria Molina)
Low Risk · Approved
4
Quillaia Extract
Low Risk · Approved
4
Rapeseed Oil, Hydrogenated
Low Risk · Approved
4
Rapeseed Oil, Hydrogenated, Superglycerinated
Low Risk · Approved
4
Rapeseed Oil, Low Erucic Acid
Low Risk · Approved
4
Salts of Fatty Acids Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate Color or Coloring Adjunct, Dough Strengthener
Low Risk · Approved
4
Sodium Alginate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Sodium Aluminium Phosphate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Sodium Bicarbonate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Sodium Calcium Polyphosphate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Sodium Caprate Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Sodium Caprylate Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Sodium Carboxy Methyl Cellulose
Low Risk · Approved
4
Sodium Caseinate Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent, Drying Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Sodium Chloride Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent, Antimicrobial Agent, Color or Coloring Adjunct
Low Risk · Approved
4
Sodium Citrates
Low Risk · Approved
4
Sodium Lactate Antimicrobial Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Sodium Laurate Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Sodium Metaphosphate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Sodium Myristate Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Sodium Oleate Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Sodium Pectate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Sodium Phosphate, Dibasic Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent, Antimicrobial Agent, Drying Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent, Antimicrobial Agent, Drying Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Sodium Phosphate, Tribasic Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent, Drying Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Sodium Polyphosphate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Sodium Potassium Tartrate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Sodium Pyrophosphate Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent, Drying Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Sodium Salts Of Fatty Acids
Low Risk · Approved
4
Sodium Salts of Fatty Acids Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Sodium Stearate Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent
Low Risk · Approved
2
Sodium Stearoyl-2-Lactylate
Caution · Approved
4
Sodium Stearoyl-2-lactylate Dough Strengthener
Low Risk · Approved
4
Sodium Tartrate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Sodium Tripolyphosphate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Sodium Tripolyphosphate Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent, Antioxidant, Drying Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Sodium/Potassium And Calcium Salts Of Fatty Acids
Low Risk · Approved
4
Sodium/Potassium/Calcium And Magnesium Salts Of Fatty Acids
Low Risk · Approved
2
Sorbitan Monolaurate
Caution · Approved
2
Sorbitan Monooleate
Caution · Approved
2
Sorbitan Monopalmitate
Caution · Approved
2
Sorbitan Monostearate
Caution · Approved
2
Sorbitan Tristearate
Caution · Approved
4
Soy Protein, Isolate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Soya Bean Oil Fatty Acids, Hydroxylated
Low Risk · Approved
4
Starch Aluminium Octenyl Succinate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Starch Sodium Octenyl Succinate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Starch, Food, Modified Anticaking Agent or Free-flow Agent, Drying Agent
Low Risk · Approved
4
Stearic Acid
Low Risk · Approved
4
Stearyl Citrate Antioxidant
Low Risk · Approved
4
Succinylated Monoglycerides Dough Strengthener
Low Risk · Approved
4
Sucroglycerides
Low Risk · Approved
4
Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate
Low Risk · Approved
2
Sucrose Esters Of Fatty Acids
Caution · Approved
4
Sucrose Fatty Acid Esters
Low Risk · Approved
4
Sucrose Oligoesters
Low Risk · Approved
4
Tetrapotassium Diphosphate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Tetrasodium Diphosphate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Thermally Oxidised Soya Bean Oil Interacted With Mono- And Diglycerides Of Fatty Acids
Low Risk · Approved
4
Tragacanth
Low Risk · Approved
4
Tragacanth, Gum (astragalus Spp.)
Low Risk · Approved
4
Tricalcium Phosphate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Triethyl Citrate
Low Risk · Approved
2
Triphosphates
Caution · Approved
4
Tripotassium Phosphate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Trisodium Diphosphate
Low Risk · Approved
4
Vegetable Gum, Other Than Those Cfr Listed
Low Risk · Approved
4
White And Yellow Beeswax
Low Risk · Approved

Source: FDA Substances Added to Food (SAFFA) Inventory, EU Food Additive Regulations (EC) No 1333/2008

Compare beyond this category

Nationwide categories with similar additive profiles

Two PlainIngredients-derived peer sets for Emulsifier: closest on tracked ingredient count (282 here) and closest on mean composite safety score (3.9/5 here). Rows stay link-disjoint so each axis is a distinct neighborhood, not a largest-category strip.

Similar ingredient count

Nearest other SAFFA categories by mapped additive count (floored at ≥10).

8 peers

Similar mean additive safety

Nearest other categories by average mapped safety score (floored at ≥10 scored additives), distinct from the count row.

3 peers

Other Categories

Acidity Regulator (8) Anti-caking Agent (4) Antioxidant (35) Color Additive (99) Color/Whitener (1) Enzyme (43) Fat/Oil (1) Firming Agent (2) Flavor (1) Flavor Enhancer (358) Flavoring Agent (2583) Flour Treatment (1) Food Additive (611) Humectant (7) Leavening Agent (5) Nutrient Supplement (85) Preservative (55) Processing Aid (85) Sequestrant (8) Solvent (22) Sweetener (52) Texturizer (4) Thickener (156)

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Every figure on PlainIngredients is rendered directly from FDA, EU, EFSA and U.S. state regulatory records, no number is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.