INS 481 is the code for sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate
A dough strengthener - it makes bread rise higher and stay soft longer. Standard in packaged bread and buns.
- What it does
- Keeps oil and water mixed An emulsifier
- Also printed as
- SSL
- Vegetarian?
- Depends on the maker Source not stated on the label
- In the Zabel score
- 2 of the 20 additive points Method 1.0.0
- In our catalogue
- 63 packs List it in their ingredients
Is INS 481 vegetarian?
It depends on the maker. INS 481 can be made from plant or animal sources and the label does not say which, so the code tells you nothing either way. The green or brown mark on the pack is the declaration to go by.
| Food category | Share | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| Bread and buns | 79% | |
| Biscuits and cookies | 13% | |
| Ice cream and frozen desserts | 3% | |
| Other sweet snacks | 2% | |
| Ready-to-eat meals | 2% | |
| Everything else | 2% |
Counted from the 63 packs in Zabel's catalogue that list INS 481, 61 of which have a food category so far. Counted 4 Nov 2026.
What does the evidence say about INS 481?
We grade an additive by the evidence about it, not by whether it sounds like a chemical, and we make no claim about whether a pack complies with FSSAI rules.
JECFA sets a group ADI of 20 mg/kg body weight for stearoyl lactylates and no concern has been identified at food levels. The stearic acid it is built from may be plant or animal in origin, which is not declared.
Does Zabel mark INS 481 down?
Yes, by 2 points. The additives part of the score starts at 20, and each code takes off a fixed amount set by the strength of the evidence about it, not by the fact that it is an additive (method 1.0.0). Read the method.
Questions people search
What is INS 481?
INS 481 is the code for sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate, an emulsifier. A dough strengthener - it makes bread rise higher and stay soft longer. Standard in packaged bread and buns.
Is INS 481 vegetarian?
It depends on the maker. INS 481 can be made from plant or animal sources and the label does not say which, so the code tells you nothing either way. The green or brown mark on the pack is the declaration to go by.
What does the evidence say about INS 481?
JECFA sets a group ADI of 20 mg/kg body weight for stearoyl lactylates and no concern has been identified at food levels. The stearic acid it is built from may be plant or animal in origin, which is not declared.
Does Zabel mark INS 481 down?
Yes, by 2 points. The additives part of the score starts at 20, and each code takes off a fixed amount set by the strength of the evidence about it, not by the fact that it is an additive (method 1.0.0).
What other names is INS 481 printed under?
Packs also print it as SSL, or as the bare number 481 in brackets after the ingredient.
Sources
- 01 Evaluations of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) WHO / FAO, 2024
- 02 Zabel catalogue - pack counts, food categories and the codes printed alongside 4 Nov 2026
Entry updated 19 Sep 2026 · Not reviewed by a dietitian yet · Report an error on this page
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