Dioctyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate (E480): What It Is and Is It Safe?
Dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate, also known as docusate sodium, is an anionic surfactant used in small amounts as a wetting and dispersing agent, for example to reconstitute dry beverage or cocoa bases; it is also a pharmaceutical stool softener. JECFA set a temporary ADI of 0-0.25 mg/kg body weight; its surfactant action can produce a laxative effect, and reproductive effects appeared in rats only at extreme dietary levels around 2 percent. Food uses are restricted to specific applications.
- Category
- Emulsifier / Stabiliser — Anionic surfactant (docusate sodium)
- Typically used in
- Wetting and dispersing agent in dry beverage bases, cocoa products and processing.
- Regulatory status
- Not authorised as a general food additive in the EU; permitted in the US for restricted uses under 21 CFR 172.810; JECFA temporary ADI 0-0.25 mg/kg. Codex INS 480.
- Concerns flagged
-
Digestive upset
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Where this comes from
- JECFA/WHO (1991) — Dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate DSS WHO Food Additives Series 28 https://www.inchem.org/documents/jecfa/jecmono/v28je16.htm
- US FDA eCFR (2024) — 21 CFR 172.810 Dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-172/subpart-I/section-172.810
Products containing Dioctyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate
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