E483: Stearyl Tartrate
Main role: emulsifying and dough treatment
Also listed as: stearyl tartrates
What is E483 (Stearyl Tartrate)?
Stearyl tartrate is an ester preparation involving tartaric acid and stearyl alcohol. It is a specified food emulsifier with a different structure from the E472 tartaric-acid ester families.
What does it do in food?
Its main role is emulsifying and dough treatment. Emulsifiers help ingredients mix or remain distributed. The recipe determines whether that means dispersing fat, improving dough handling, or controlling a coating. Their presence alone does not describe the food’s overall nutritional quality.
Food and formulation examples
- Bakery dough preparations
- Emulsifier mixtures
- Authorized flour-based foods
These examples describe formulation roles, not a list of unrestricted legal uses. Availability and permitted applications differ by country and food category.
Label names and ingredient questions
Look for E483, E 483, or the ingredient name. Related names and label terms include stearyl tartrates. A family code can cover more than one specified form; check the full declaration when the distinction matters.
Stearyl tartrate is not cream of tartar E336. Similar references to tartaric acid can describe ingredients with very different food functions.
Is E483 safe?
There is no meaningful personal risk estimate from an E number alone. Food-grade specifications, allowed uses, amount consumed, and individual circumstances all matter. The authorization record below gives the legal scope; it is not a claim that every possible use is appropriate.
A label identifies the ingredient but usually not its concentration. Calculating daily intake requires the amount in the food and the quantities eaten.
Authorization and conditions of use
The Great Britain food additive register lists E483 as Stearyl tartrate. This is an entry subject to its stated conditions, not unrestricted permission for every food. The record links to the applicable authorization terms. For an EU product, use the European Commission food additive database to check the relevant food category and limits. Other countries may use different names or rules.