Sodium Stearyl Fumarate

Sodium Stearyl Fumarate carries a safety score of 3/5 and appears in 3 indexed US food products.

Safety score 60.0%

3/5 from FDA SAFFA + CSPI Chemical Cuisine

How common is vs other flagged additives?

Number of indexed products containing each of the most common flagged additives — Sodium Stearyl Fumarate highlighted.

Indexed products containing each flagged additive. Source: Open Food Facts ingredient lists × FDA SAFFA × CSPI Chemical Cuisine.

Caramel Coloring22612Red 4021595Yellow 518987Carrageenan17853Blue 116643Yellow 613560Sucralose10490Sodium Stearyl Fumarate3
Indexed products containing each flagged additive. Source: Open Food Facts ingredient lists × FDA SAFFA × CSPI Chemical Cuisine.
FDA Status
Approved
Safety Score
3/5

Function

DOUGH STRENGTHENER, LEAVENING AGENT, LUBRICANT OR RELEASE AGENT

Safety Assessment

Sodium Stearyl Fumarate has a moderate safety profile (3/5). While approved for use, some studies or consumer advocacy groups have raised questions about certain aspects of this ingredient. Consumers who prefer caution may wish to limit intake.

What the Data Says About

Sodium Stearyl Fumarate currently appears in 3 products across the OpenFoodFacts catalog we index, which gives a concrete measure of its footprint on US grocery shelves. Our internal safety score of 3/5 synthesizes FDA Substances Added to Food (SAFFA) regulatory status — currently "Approved" — with the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) Chemical Cuisine classification. These two frameworks capture different questions: regulators ask whether exposure at typical intake is acceptable, while consumer-advocacy groups examine cumulative dietary load and vulnerable-population risk.

In food manufacturing, Sodium Stearyl Fumarate functions as a dough strengthener, leavening agent, lubricant or release agent. That technical role explains why it recurs across many product categories — formulators select specific additives for stability, shelf life, color, or texture performance, and substitution is rarely a one-for-one swap when regulations or consumer preferences shift. Inspection and outbreak data often trace back to breakdown in the control of exactly these kinds of functional ingredients, either through contaminated batches, undisclosed substitutions, or labeling errors that trigger FDA-initiated recalls.

No specific concern flags are attached to Sodium Stearyl Fumarate in our current data snapshot beyond the regulatory and CSPI classifications above. That does not rule out individual sensitivity reactions, and anyone managing allergies, elimination diets, or chronic conditions should verify with a qualified healthcare professional before relying on population-level ratings.

Safety Profile at a Glance

Regulatory and safety classifications for Sodium Stearyl Fumarate
Source Classification Year
FDA SAFFA Approved 2024
CSPI Chemical Cuisine Not rated 2024
PlainFoodSafe Score 3/5 2026
Product footprint 3 products OpenFoodFacts

FDA SAFFA database, CSPI Chemical Cuisine ratings, OpenFoodFacts product index. See methodology.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sodium Stearyl Fumarate safe to eat?

Sodium Stearyl Fumarate has a safety score of 3/5. FDA status: Approved. Always check with a healthcare provider if you have specific dietary concerns.

What products contain Sodium Stearyl Fumarate?

Sodium Stearyl Fumarate is found in 3 products in our database, spanning various food categories and brands.

What does Sodium Stearyl Fumarate do in food?

Sodium Stearyl Fumarate is used as a dough strengthener, leavening agent, lubricant or release agent in food products.

Where does this ingredient safety data come from?

Safety data comes from the FDA's SAFFA (Substances Added to Food) database, CSPI (Center for Science in the Public Interest) ratings, and the OpenFoodFacts product database. Product counts reflect items cataloged in OpenFoodFacts.