Tag: Sodium stearate

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), sodium stearate is not classified as a food preservative but is approved as a safe food additive. While it helps maintain a product's shelf life, its primary function is as an emulsifier, stabilizer, and thickener, not an antimicrobial agent.

Sodium stearate, a common ingredient found in bar soaps, is often mistaken for palm oil itself, but they are not the same substance. It is a chemical compound created through the saponification process and can be derived from a variety of fat sources, including but not limited to palm oil. Understanding this key distinction is essential for consumers who wish to know the origin of their products' components.